Childhood Cancer
Childhood Cancer Overview
Childhood cancer, while relatively rare, represents a significant area of concern in paediatric medicine. In the UK, around 1,800 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Advances in treatment have significantly improved survival rates, with about 84% of children diagnosed with cancer now surviving for five years or more, according to Cancer Research UK. Understanding the types, symptoms, treatments, and resources available is crucial for parents and caregivers.
Types of Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancers differ significantly from adult cancers in their nature and the way they respond to treatment. Some of the most common types include:
- Leukaemia:
- The most common childhood cancer, accounting for about a third of all cases. The two main types are acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
- Brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors:
- The second most common group of cancers in children, which includes gliomas and medulloblastomas.
- Neuroblastoma:
- Almost always found in infants and young children, this cancer starts in the early nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma)
- A type of kidney cancer that typically occurs in children under 5 years old.
- Lymphomas:
- Including both Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, affecting the lymphatic system.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma:
- A cancer that starts in the cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles.
Symptoms of Childhood Cancer
Symptoms vary widely depending on the type of cancer but can include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fever or illness
- Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
- Speech difficulties
- Sudden eye or vision changes
- Excessive bruising or bleeding
- Persistent, unexplained pain or limping
- A mass or lump in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or limbs
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
Diagnosis of Childhood Cancer
Diagnosis often starts with a physical examination, followed by blood tests, imaging scans like MRI or CT, and sometimes biopsy procedures. Treatment varies depending on the type of cancer and may include:
- Chemotherapy:
- The use of drugs to kill cancer cells
- Surgery:
- To remove tumors or affected lymph nodes.
- Radiation therapy:
- The use of high-energy waves to destroy cancer cells.
- Bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation:
- For cancers affecting the blood and lymph systems.
- Targeted therapy:
- Drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Dealing with cancer in a child is incredibly challenging, but the significant advances in treatment and support services provide hope and assistance. In the UK, families have access to world-class healthcare and support systems designed to not only treat childhood cancers but also help families cope with the emotional and logistical challenges they face.
