Childhood Cancers Overview

Management of Pediatric Cancer While the main goal of pediatric cancer is to try to get rid of the cancer as soon as possible, it is equally important that the child is made comfortable during their treatment process. This is called supportive care or symptom management. This comprehensively includes managing all health issues during this period such as infections, pain, side-effects of drugs and treatment, nutrition, vaccinations, stress etc. The side-effects of Chemo and Radiation therapy…

The various treatments of pediatric cancers or childhood cancers are tabulated below Cancer Type Treatment Options Lymphoma Chemotherapy, Monoclonal antibodies and Stem cell Transplant. For Hodgkin’s lymphoma, radiation therapy is used. Leukemia Chemotherapy, Radiation, Bone marrow or Stem cell Transplant. Neuroblastoma Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Immunotherapy, Retinoid therapy and Stem cell Transplant. Retinoblastoma Enucleation with orbital implant…

Tests for Childhood Cancers/ Pediatric Cancers Tests will depend on the symptoms and signs observed on physical examination. Further diagnostic workup will be prescribed accordingly. Each childhood cancer and their respective test have been listed below. Cancer Type Tests Lymphoma CBC, Chest X-ray, Biopsy of the lump, Bone marrow aspiration, CT scan Leukemia Thorough physical exam of liver, spleen and lymph nodes, CBC with differentials, Bone marrow test. Neuroblastoma…

Types of Childhood Cancers The common types of Childhood cancers are: Lymphoma Leukemia Neuroblastoma Retinoblastoma Wilm’s tumor or Nephroblastoma Brain tumors Bone Cancers like Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma Soft tissue cancers like Rhabdomyosarcoma References: National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers

Prevention There is not much one can do to prevent childhood cancers. There are a few risk factors that can be avoided such as preventing the child’s exposure to smoke(second hand), excessive sun, toxic fumes, radiation and hazardous chemicals. Prevent Obesity by encouraging healthy eating habits and physical activity to stay fit. If there is a known inherited gene defect, prophylactic surgery may be considered. Currently there is no screening for childhood cancers.

Symptoms of Pediatric/ Childhood Cancers Many symptoms and signs can be non-specific in kids and often be due to other illnesses. The Pediatric Oncology Resource Center uses an apt acronym (CHILDCANCER) to describe the symptoms: Continued, unexplained weight loss Headaches, often with early morning vomiting Increased swelling or persistent pain in the bones, joints, back, or legs Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits Development of excessive bruising,…

Although the exact etiology of childhood cancer remains unknown, there are may risk factors that can predispose children for developing cancer. These are broadly categorised as: Genetic - Certain cancers like Retinoblastoma and Wilm’s tumor have a genetic link, which means that the children are born with a specific gene mutation inherited from a parent. Not all childhood cancers occur from an inherited mutation but can be due to a mutation that occurs early in life, maybe even in the womb. Such…

According to the WHO, approximately 400,000 children (aged 0-19 years) are diagnosed with cancer every single year. While high-income countries have an 80% cure rate for children, in low-income countries the cure rate is estimated to be merely 15-45%. Childhood cancer cancers , also called Pediatric cancers are cancers that affect children from the birth to adolescence. Most of these cancers are quite rare and behave differently than they do n adults. References: World Health Organisation.…

डॉ रुचिरा मिश्रा, पीडियाट्रिक हेमटोलॉजी ऑन्कोलॉजी और बीएमटी यूनिट, एसआरसीसी चिल्ड्रन्स हॉस्पिटल में सीनियर कंसल्टेंट हैं। इस लेख में वे बच्चों के कैंसर से सम्बंधित कुछ आम सवालों के जवाब दे रही हैं। क्या बच्चों को कैंसर होता है? हां, बच्चों को कैंसर होता है। बच्चों का कैंसर बचपन के तमाम दौर में देखा जाता है - एक ओर हम ऐसे बच्चों को देखते हैं जो ट्यूमर के साथ पैदा हुए हैं या जो गर्भस्थ (माँ के गर्भ में) थे  जब उन के कैंसर का पता चला - पर बच्चों को कैंसर बाद में भी हो सकता है। गर्भस्थ अवस्था…

Ritika Raotale, a teenager from Surat, relates her agonising treatment for lymphoblastic lymphoma, a fast-growing aggressive cancer, and her tale of triumph over the disease with high dose chemotherapy and a smile. Before my diagnosis in 2019, I was leading a fairly normal life. I had just finished my Class 12 Board Exams. I had gone to my Nani’s house for a short break and enjoying my vacation. There one night I suddenly began having difficulty breathing. It was as if something was choking me…