Childhood cancers or Paediatric Tumours frequently differ from Adult cancers. The cause of childhood cancers are due to DNA changes in cells that take place very early in life, sometimes even before birth.
What are the types of pediatric tumours ?
Cancers developing in children include Leukemias and Lymphomas, Brain Tumours as well those of the Central Nervous System, Neuroblastomas, Wilms tumours & Retinoblastoma, Rhabdomyosarcomas and Bone cancers (Osteosarcomas and Ewing sarcomas).
- Leukemias : The acute leukemias are the most common tumours to occur in children. The acute leukemias (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia & Acute Myeloid Leukemia) are each composed of young cells, known as lymphoblasts or myeloblasts. These cells are sometimes called blasts. Acute leukemias progress rapidly and need quick and effective treatment.
- Lymphomas : These are cancers of lymphoid origin, seen consisting of anomalous and abnormal proliferation of B or T cells in lymphoid tissue. It characteristically causes lymphadenopathy. Both Hodgkin’s Disease and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can occur in children.
- Brain & spinal cord tumours: These are the second-most common cancers in children. There are many diverse kinds brain cancer, and each has to be treated differently. The most common brain tumours in children are those in the lower brain, like the cerebellum and brain stem. A tumour in the brain’s cerebral hemisphere can cause seizures, difficulty in speech, changes in special senses like vision and hearing, mood swings such as depression and weakness or paralysis in certain parts of the body. Increased pressure can also cause headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and balance problems.
- Neuroblastomas: It is a malignant tumour of neural crest cells. These neural crest cells are the precursor cells which give rise to the sympathetic nervous system. Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that starts in the precursor, immature nerve cells seen in an embryo or fetus. Simply put, the term neuro refers to nerves, whilst blastoma means a cancer that involves immature or developing cells. It is basically a childhood tumour occurring in the very young age group,that is mostly 5 years and less. They account for 8 to 10% of childhood cancers.
- Wilms Tumours: Wilms Tumour (also known as nephroblastoma) is basically an embryonic tumour of the KIDNEY. It is the second most common abdominal tumour in childhood.
- Retinoblastomas: Retinoblastoma is the most frequently occurring neoplasm of the eyes in childhood, and is about 3% of all childhood malignancies. It is a cancer of very young children; most cases are diagnosed earlier than 2 years of age, and 95% earlier than 5 years.
- Rhabdomyosarcomas: It is a malignant soft-tissue tumour derived from skeletal muscle. It is the third most common solid tumour seen in childhood.
- Bone cancers (Osteosarcomas and Ewing sarcomas): Osteosarcoma is characterized by immature bone or osteoid tissue formed by neoplastic cells. Ewing’s sarcoma is a less common type of bone cancer, which can also cause bone pain and swelling.
What are the causes of pediatric tumours ?
Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancers are not strongly influenced by either lifestyle or environmental risk factors. Lifestyle factors such as obesity and poor lifestyle habits need time to do their cumulative damage, so they are mostly not contributory factors for childhood cancers. However, there are a few known environmental factors, like radiation exposure, associated with some childhood cancers. Parental exposures (smoking) might also increase risk of certain childhood cancers, but more studies are needed to establish this. So far, most childhood cancers have not been due to environmental causes.
What are the clinical features of pediatric tumours ?
At the time of diagnosis, the tumour may have a wide-ranging presentation. It can be limited to a single organ (that is localized), or locally or regionally invasive, or extensively spread. Some grow rapidly and some grow slowly. Clinically, each childhood tumour will show its own specific symptoms.The symptoms could vary from unusual lumps or swellings, unexplained lethargy, paleness and listlessness, easy bruising, persistent pain, limping, unexplained ongoing fever or illness, frequent headaches, sudden eye or vision changes and unexplained weight loss.
How are pediatric tumours diagnosed ?
- Some children have increased chances of developing a particular cancer because of certain heritable genetic changes. These children need careful, routine medical check-ups like special screening tests for cancer.
- CT scan and /or MRI should be carried out to provide the exact anatomical information of the tumour such as its extent and measurements.
- A histological study of the biopsy, under the microscope is required to confirm diagnosis of pediatric cancer.
How are pediatric tumour treated ?
- Firstly, the tumours have to be staged. This has to be done both locally and systemically. There are different treatments required at different stages of tumour. Moreover, age at the time of occurrence and prognostic factors both influence treatment strategies.
- Secondly, patients should be treated by a team of doctors. The team will include pediatric oncologists (specialists in treating children with cancer), pediatric surgeons (specialists in performing surgery in children), radiation oncologists (specialists in radiation to treat cancer) and pediatric oncology nurses.
- The different regimens include, Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy. Briefly, localized tumours are treated by primary surgery if possible. Chemotherapy and local radiotherapy would be needed if there are unfavourable prognostic factors in the case or in aggressive and fast spreading tumours.
What is the care to be taken after the removal of pediatric tumours ?
Metastatic diagnostic workup and monitoring post-treatment for aggressive or disseminated neuroblastomas includes imaging and scanning of the limbs, thorax, chest, retroperitoneum, and abdomen with radiography, MRI or CT scans.
How can pediatric tumours be prevented ?
If there is a family history of paediatric cancer (a parent or sibling with the disease), consult a genetic counsellor about the child’s risks of having the disease.
How to find and reach cancer specialists for pediatric tumour treatment ?
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Find, reach and choose a cancer specialist for pediatric tumour treatment on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
