What is pediatric cancer?
Pediatric cancer broadly refers to a group of cancers that afflict children. These cancers are rare — affecting less than one-half percent of kids. Thanks to modern medicine, they are largely treatable and often curable.
There are many different cancers that are more common in children:
- Leukemia — More than a third of all childhood cancers are leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood that gets its start in bone marrow.
- Lymphoma — Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system that’s more common in adolescents.
- Brain tumors — Nearly half of all pediatric cancers are tumors within the brain or central nervous system.
- Neuroblastoma — Most common in children under five, neuroblastoma is a cancer that starts in immature nerve cells in the adrenal glands.
- Wilms tumor — A tumor that typically forms on one kidney, Wilms tumor is almost always diagnosed in children under the age of 10.
What causes cancer in childhood?
Cancer is caused by mutated genes, which is why it’s more common in adults. Throughout out our lives, mutations occur naturally in the aging process or through exposure in our environment. Since children have yet to develop or be exposed to many things, it’s thought that their cancer starts early on when the body makes a mistake in development and causes a gene to take on a cancerous mutation.
What are the signs of pediatric cancer?
Pediatric cancer symptoms can look a lot like other signs of illness or injury in kids: headaches, tummy aches, bumps and bruises. When these things are long-term or chronic, they may be a sign of something more serious than a fall or the latest bug spreading around.
Due to the variety of cancers and complexities of each disease, symptoms vary. The Children’s Oncology Group — the world’s largest organization dedicated to pediatric cancer research — developed a helpful acronym to aid parents and providers in identifying warning signs: CHILDCANCER.
Continued, unexplained weight loss
Headaches
Increased swelling or pain in the bones, joints, back or legs
Lumps
Development of excessive bruises, rashes or bleeding
Constant infections
A whitish color behind the pupils
Nausea
Chronic fatigue
Eye or vision changes
Recurring fevers that aren’t from other illnesses
How is pediatric cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosing childhood cancer starts like any other childhood illness: with a physical exam. Your provider will assess your child’s symptoms and vital signs. Depending on which symptoms are present and what types of problems are suspected, they’ll order additional testing. Blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone marrow tests, PET scans, biopsies and ultrasounds are all used in the diagnosis of different pediatric cancers.
What are the long-term effects and complications of pediatric cancer?
The good news about pediatric cancer is that more kids are surviving than ever before. The bad news is that means that more children are experiencing long-term effects of their cancer and treatment. These late effects come on months or years after treatment and can affect everything from the body’s organs and tissues to a child’s mind. They may experience developmental delays, growth problems, mood disorders, mental health issues, memory lapses and learning disabilities. In some cases, new and different cancers form.
Why do you still need treatment after pediatric cancer?
The late effects of childhood cancer can be serious — even life-threatening. Consistent monitoring and early detection are critical for your child’s growth and overall health. Regular tests help catch these effects before they become serious problems. And when new issues arise, they require new treatment methods separate from the cancer treatments.
What can a Med-Peds doctor do for childhood cancers?
Cancer is a major, life-altering diagnosis that takes a whole health care team to help your family through. While a pediatric oncologist is your point person for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, an Internal Medicine-Pediatrics physician can guide care for years after. Med-Peds doctors are specially trained in the complexities and care that stem from cancer’s immediate and late effects. Additionally, they can help you manage the other cancer-related struggles and connect your family to necessary resources.
If your child is struggling with side effects from pediatric cancer, schedule an appointment to talk with Dr. Tomlinson to get help for their immediate needs and guidance on managing their health in the long-term. As a Med-Peds physician, Dr. Tomlinson can follow your child’s transition into adulthood and provide expert care all throughout life.