Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: Things You Should Know As a Parent

Cancer in children is not the same as those that develop in adults. There are no risk factors associated with one’s lifestyle or the surroundings. Instead, it is frequently the product of very early in life DNA alterations in cells. Cancer in children is uncommon and potentially treatable in more than 70% of cases.

Thus, early detection is critical, especially in the case of solid tumors, where therapy can be less intense and more successful if the tumor is smaller and has not migrated from the original region at the time of diagnosis.

Cancer in children might be difficult to detect because common diseases or ordinary scrapes and bruises can obscure the early warning symptoms. Nonetheless, it is crucial to identify symptoms early. So, as today is Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, let’s get to know a few things about the same. 

Common Types of Cancer in Children

• Leukemia
• Lymphomas
• Neuroblastoma
• Brain tumor 
• Wilms tumor

Types Of Cancer In Children And Their Symptoms 

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) 

This is the most prevalent pediatric cancer. ALL is more frequent in boys than girls and often occurs between 2 and 4. 

Symptoms

• Joint and bone discomfort
• Fatigue 
• Bleeding 
• Fever
• Loss of weight

Also Read: World Mental Health Day Special: How To Identify Individual With Mental Illness and What To Do After?

Lymphoma

Lymphoma begins in immune system cells known as lymphocytes. These malignancies affect lymph nodes and other lymph tissues such as the tonsils and thymus. Lymphoma is classified into two types:

Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin disease, is uncommon in children under five. This form of cancer is quite similar in children and adults, including which treatments are most effective.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common in younger children than Hodgkin lymphoma, but it is still uncommon in children under three.

Symptoms

• Swollen Lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Loss of weight
• Fever
• Sweats
• Weakness

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma develops in newborns and young children from undeveloped nerve cells. This illness primarily affects children under the age of five. Additionally, it affects more boys than girls, and only 1-2 percent of children with this condition have a family history.

Symptoms

• Impaired walking ability
• Changes in the eyes (bulging, dark circles, droopy eyelids)
• Pain in different parts of the body
• Diarrhea
• Blood pressure too high

Brain Tumors 

Brain and nerve system tumors account for around 27% of all cancer in children. There are several brain tumors, each with its therapy and prognosis. Although brain tumors in children differ from adults, many of the symptoms are the same.

Symptoms

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Problems with balance
• Problems with vision, hearing, or speaking
• Often Vomits

Wilms Tumor

Wilms Tumor is the most prevalent kind of juvenile kidney cancer that begins in the kidneys. Wilms tumors typically originate in only one kidney, but rare cases, both, account for around 5% of all juvenile malignancies. 

This condition is most frequent in very young children (3 to 4 years old) and is uncommon in children over 6.

Symptoms

• Swelling or a bulge in the stomach
• Fever
• Pain 
• Nausea
• a lack of appetite