Which cancers occur in children, their symptoms and treatment

Cancer is a disease that can happen to anyone. It is important to have information so that the symptoms can be identified and treated on time.

Childhood Cancer Day: A dreadful disease like cancer is not only seen in adults, but sometimes it is also seen in children. However, the chances of being cured of cancer in children are much higher than in adults. World Childhood Cancer Day is celebrated every year on 15 February. The purpose of celebrating this is to make people aware of cancer in children.

Fit Hindi contacted Dr. Satya Prakash Yadav, Director, Pediatric Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Medicine and Hemato Oncology Cancer Institute, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, to find out answers to questions related to cancer in children.

Which cancers are more common in children?

There are many types of cancer in children. Some that happen the most are:

Leukemia- Most cases of leukemia occur in children. It is a type of blood cancer. Brain cancer- Benign tumors develop in the brain of children. Apart from this, there can also be different types of cancer of the brain.

Lymphoma- It is also called cancer of the neck. Children are the third most common cancer. This cancer occurs in the lymph glands (glands of the neck).

Neuroblastoma – This is a tumor that occurs in the adrenal gland, which is in the upper part of the kidney

Retinoblastoma is also a cancer of the eyes.

Bone cancer- Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma are cancers of the bones.

How to recognize the symptoms of cancer in children?

Symptoms of all types of cancer are different. Some of the symptoms are as follows:

Leukemia- In this, the child starts appearing pale or white day by day. The level of hemoglobin starts decreasing. Fever also persists. Due to the lack of platelets, blue or pink marks appear in the body of the child. Frequent infections occur because the white blood cells are not working properly. It also happens that white blood cells become high in the child's body and the blood becomes thick from it. Due to which headache, bone or joint pain starts.

Brain tumor - Headache is a common symptom in this. Sometimes a squint is seen. In this, the child complains of nausea with headache every morning after waking up. Then after vomiting he feels comfortable.

Kidney tumor- In this, a lump is formed in the stomach of the child.

Sow Tumor- This occurs mostly in growing children. There is a lump in the bone or joint, which causes pain.

3. Are cancers also genetic?

Some cancers are genetic such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer but most cancers are not genetic.

How to understand that it is time to contact an oncologist?

Cancer in children is not a common disease . Therefore, if the child's health deteriorates, according to the symptoms, contact the doctor and get treatment. But if the condition of the child is not improving even after treatment according to the symptoms, then the problem has to be seen seriously.

If the lump found in the neck has not healed even after weeks of antibiotics, then a biopsy may be needed.

If the fever of the child persists for 10-12 days even after check up and medicines and no other reason is understood behind it, then contact the doctor.

Be alert if you have children complaining of headache, nausea and vomiting in the morning.

What is the treatment for cancer in children?

Chemotherapy is currently the most effective method of curing cancer in children. Where chemotherapy does not appear to be as effective in adult cancer, it is a very successful method in children's cancer.

Surgery and radiation are also done according to the need.

Radiation is used to a minimum in children's cancer because its side effects can harm children.

How to take care of a child with cancer?

Keep cleanliness around the child. The immunity of children battling cancer is very low. The ability to fight infection has also decreased, due to which they can get fever easily. Which can prove to be very dangerous for them.

Fever means alarm bell. If you reach the hospital within 1 hour of having a fever of more than 100 degrees, the chances of survival increase.

Only well cooked home cooked food should be eaten.

Hands should be cleaned thoroughly before eating food.

Wash your hands thoroughly whenever you use the bathroom.

Keep the child wearing a mask to avoid infection.

Family members should also use masks so that there is no flu, covid because they can cause these diseases to the child.

What is the success rate of cancer treatment in children? Is there a risk of getting cancer again?

In more than 80% of cases, children recover and go to their homes. With the new technology of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, we are successfully treating more and more children. As far as recurrence of cancer is concerned, it is possible that 20% of children will see this problem again, but they too can be cured with hard work and careful treatment.

When to understand that the child is cancer free?

When at least 5 years have passed without any problems after the end of cancer treatment and in the meantime the child has not shown any cancer related complaints or any signs of cancer in the child, then understand that the child Has become completely cancer free.

What to keep in mind during recovery?

After the treatment is over, check up with the doctor once in a year.

Ask your doctor about the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, and keep them in mind.

Whether the natural development of the child is happening properly or not, attention should be given to it.

What advice would you give to the family at such times?

People get nervous when they hear the word cancer. Whereas this is the time to give the most courage and love to the child. Family members should remember that cancers are of different types and affect people in different ways. Cancer in children is not like that of adults. The chances of getting cured in them are much more than the elders.