Introduction
Cancer is the uncontrollable growth of multiple cells that spread from one place to another. When the cells are damaged or injured in the body, they are replaced by other new cells. In cancer, the cells are replaced multiple times. Cancer cells form tumors, or solid tissues, in the body. The most common cancers in children are leukemia, retinoblastoma, and nervous cancer.
In a tumor, the normal growth of cells is known as benign. Benign cancer is not spread from one place to another; it is curable when some procedures, like surgery, remove it. Malignant tumors are characterized by abnormal cell growth that occurs repeatedly. These are spreadable and difficult to treat.
What Are the Types of Childhood Cancers?
1. Leukemia:
Children below the age of fifteen are more likely to develop leukemia. It is a blood cell disease. Generally, blood cells are produced in the bone marrow; genetic changes in the bone marrow lead to the development of abnormal cells. This will result in a lack of normal blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Symptoms of leukemia:
- Tiredness and weakness.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Infection.
- Fever.
- Pain in the joints and bones.
2. Neuroblastoma:
Neuroblastoma is a disease of nerve cells; it occurs in body parts like the neck, abdomen, and spine, where a bundle of nerve fibers presents. It mostly occurs in children under the age of five. Multiple growths of immature cells (nerves) in the nervous system. Neuroblastoma also occurs in the kidneys' adrenal glands, similar to nerve fibers. This disorder occurs in children due to their defects at birth. Older people are less likely to have these disorders.
Symptoms of neuroblastoma:
- Difficulty in moving.
- Fatigue.
- Diarrhea.
- Pain in the bones and neck.
- Increased blood pressure.
3. Nephroblastoma:
These disorders occur in the kidney cells of children. The severity varies from child to child. It is curable when proper treatment is provided. Abdominal bumps (tumors) and swelling are the main signs of nephroblastoma.
Symptoms of nephroblastoma:
- Abdominal pain.
- Weight loss.
- Infections may occur in the urinary tract.
4. Lymphomas:
It is white blood cell cancer when these cells develop uncontrollably. It is a rare disorder that occurs in children under one. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the two types of lymphomas.
Symptoms of lymphoma:
- Infection.
- Children may have a cold or fever.
- Low blood count.
- Itching.
- Tiredness.
5. Retinoblastoma:
Retinoblastoma is a hereditary form of eye cancer in which tumors develop in both eyes. Only one eye is affected by inherited retinoblastoma. It mostly occurs in all ages of children, particularly those under five. Children with retinoblastoma are curable when accurate treatment like surgery or laser treatment is provided. It mainly affects the eye's retina (which gives the images of pictures).
Symptoms of retinoblastoma:
- Pain in the eye.
- Red eye.
- Difficulty seeing the light.
How to Diagnose Childhood Cancer?
The physician may ask about the child's previous medical history, health, and signs and symptoms of cancer, like tumors, dizziness, tiredness, or pain in the body.
Biopsy: Tissues are collected from the body's tumors and examined under a microscope for cancer cells. These tissues are also examined under a CT scan to determine images of cancer cells in the child's body.
Neurological Examination: Physicians check the neurological functions of the children, like motor function, learning, stability, the feeling of temperature and cold, sensations of the body parts, etc.
Bone Marrow Aspiration: Bone marrow has both tissues and fluids in its structure. In these procedures, two steps are followed: one is the collection of fluid from the bone marrow with the help of a needle. Another step is collecting samples of the tissues in the bone marrow with the use of a needle. These two procedures are collectively called bone marrow aspiration.
Complete Blood Count: A blood test is performed to find the amount of RBC (red blood cells), WBC (white blood cells), and platelets present in the body. If there is an increase in this blood, it is determined whether the cancer is formed in children.
Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to determine the structure of tumor cells.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination: Cerebrospinal fluid examinations are collected from the spinal cord to determine the amount of fluid. The amount of fluid is increased by tumor cells. CSF is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord; it is collected with a needle.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Magnetic fields are used to find the detailed images of the tumor and their size. Dye is injected into the veins of patients. It is used to determine the clear picture of a tumor or lumps in the body.
PET-CT Scan: It is a combined form of both positron emission tomography and computerized tomography. It is performed by injecting the radioactive substance into the body. Cancer cells normally work with large amounts of energy. Radioactives are capable of providing a large source of energy to the body. After injecting radioactive substances, cancer cells use this substance, and it is helpful to find the images of the tumors or cancer cells.
These substances are also used to determine whether the cancer cells affect the body's organs, like the liver, kidneys, brain, and more.
What Is the Treatment of Childhood Cancer?
Treatments are performed after checking whether the cancer is malignant or benign, the severity of the tumor, and the child's condition.
1. Surgery:
After the tumor cells are identified, surgery removes the tumors and the surrounding tissues. Removing surroundings is performed to eliminate the regrowth of the cancer. Children may have cancerous cells after surgery sometimes.
2. Medications:
Brentuximab Vedotin, Cyclophosphamide, Cytarabine, and others, are commonly used drugs. For children, drugs are given either orally or intravenously. Medications directly enter the body and find cancer cells; these cells are eliminated.
3. Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is a set of medications given over some time to damage cancer cells. Chemotherapy is the most common procedure for eliminating cancer cells in children. It may produce side effects like fatigue, tiredness, and vomiting. These are normally reduced after the treatment is completed.
4. Radiation Therapy:
Using radiation, cancer cells can be removed. While using radiation therapy, special consideration is required for children because it may damage normal, healthy tissues in the body.
5. Transplantation:
Bone marrow transplantation is required for severe bone marrow cancer. It is replaced with hematopoietic cells that are present in the bloodstream. Hematopoietic cells form new bone marrow.
Conclusion
Finding the cancer at its starting stage is important for children. Severe cancerous cells are harmful and cause more stress, and symptoms worsen. Cancer-related programs are conducted to fight against cancer, which is crucial for children to embrace their strength and hope in life.
