Overview

Cancer developing in children is critically more complicated than in adults. Doctors first determine what type of cancer it is and start treatment accordingly. Various treatment options are available to boost the immune system and specifically kill cancer cells developing in children. These treatments help the body recover from side effects quickly and prevent cancer from spreading or returning. This article explains cancer treatment for children and how challenging it is.

What are the types of cancer in children?

Cancer in children is of many types. Let’s discuss them.

- Leukaemia
- Brain and spinal cord tumours
- Retinoblastoma
- Wilms tumour
- Lymphoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma

Leukaemia: This type of cancer starts and spreads in the bone marrow, where the body makes blood cells. It can cause fever, bleeding, pain, pale skin, bruising or weight loss, and other symptoms. It usually grows quickly, so it needs prompt treatment.

Brain and spinal cord tumours: About 26% of childhood cancers involve the brain and nervous system. They can also lead to seizures and other problems with movement. The symptoms include dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, difficulty walking, and nausea.

Retinoblastoma: This is a rare type of cancer found in children. It can cause a child to have trouble seeing. The main cause of retinoblastoma is foetal changes in DNA from birth.

Wilms tumour: This is kidney cancer, or you can say a nephroblastoma, that most commonly occurs in kids aged 3 to 4 years. It is uncommon in older kids and adults. It shows up as a swelling in the belly (abdomen) and sometimes as a lump in the kidney.

Lymphoma is the most common type of cancer in children as it develops in the immune system. The symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, and sudden weight loss.

Rhabdomyosarcoma: It is rare in babies and young children, but it can be very serious. It affects the arm, neck, head, abdomen, pelvis region, and leg. The symptoms of this cancer include lump or swelling and extreme pain.

How Is Cancer Treated In Children?

There are many different ways cancer is treated in children, ranging from medications to surgery. A child's medical team works closely with the parents to find the best way for the child to receive care and treatment that is safe and effective for their specific cancer and other health conditions.

The treatment plan for a child will depend on the type of cancer and its stage (whether it has spread or not). It will be based on the expertise of a paediatric oncologist and the experience of an expert childhood cancer centre, which often includes medical and allied health staff.

Radiation therapy

It is another important treatment for cancer in children. It is usually given on an outpatient basis five days a week for 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of cancer. It is delivered from a machine outside the body or through implants placed in the body.

This is called "external-beam" radiation, and the treatment usually includes a series of treatments called "fractions." Each fraction involves delivering small doses of radiation to the area around cancer. The dosages are individualised for each patient, and the parent/guardian may be asked to sign a consent form before treatment begins.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is another common form of treatment for childhood cancers. There are several types of chemotherapy, and a child's doctor will discuss them at length before beginning treatment. This will help in knowing more about possible side effects, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, or loss of appetite.

Bone Marrow Transplant

A stem cell or bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure wherein healthy stem cells are infused or transplanted into the patient’s bone marrow or blood. This procedure is followed by regular monitoring of the impacts of the transplant. Also, the child and the parents exercise strict caution so as to not catch any allergies or infections.This procedure helps restore the body's ability to produce red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells.

Other therapies

These therapies include immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Immunotherapy targets a specific protein in cancer cells and is sometimes combined with chemotherapy to make the chemotherapy more effective in eliminating cancerous cells.

What are the challenges for children with cancer?

Its increasing prevalence in countries with limited resources is a public health concern requiring urgent action. There is a need for research and professional training to improve the care of child patients while minimising adverse treatment effects and increasing the number of survivors. Early diagnosis of children’s cancer is critical to improving the outcomes of children with cancer, but it is difficult to achieve due to the lag time involved. Several reasons exist, including the different histology of paediatric tumours, physician delays in recognising and referring children to specialised cancer centres, and the onset of secondary cancers due to treatment failure. During chemotherapy and other treatments, children may experience difficulty with schoolwork or learning. These problems can persist for months or years after a child has completed treatment. Psychosocial support is an important element of any oncology program and can significantly improve the quality of life of children with cancer and their families. It includes providing psychiatric support, family education, and social and emotional counselling. Providing these services can help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, often associated with cancer and its treatment. You can also get in touch with the expert doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Oncology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Cancer treatment in children has several long-term effects, but some have improved with fewer treatments and a greater understanding of the associated risks. The type of treatment a child needs depends on the type of cancer and its stage.

FAQ

Q. What are the types of cancer that develop in children? A. Retinoblastoma, leukaemia, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, bone cancer, and Wilms tumour are some cancers developed in children.

Q. What challenges do children face during cancer treatment? A. Cancer is the most painful disease, as it comes with many complications. During treatment, children are far from their parents, which affects them mentally and causes extreme fear, depression, or sometimes trauma.

Q. What treatment options are available for children with cancer? A. Treatment options for cancer in children include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and immunotherapy.

Q. Can children's cancers be cured? A. Yes! With the right care and effective treatment options, it can be cured.

Q. Which type of cancer is common in children? A. The most common cancers that occur in children are leukaemia and brain tumours. Other cancers that can affect children are soft tissue sarcoma, bone cancers, and lymphoma.

References

- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/types-of-childhood-cancers.html
- https://www.cancer.gov/types/childhood-cancers
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4145485/
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/how-are-childhood-cancers-treated.html