Types of Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancer, or pediatric cancer, is a painful reality that many families go through all around the world. If we know the types of childhood cancer, causes of childhood cancer, and symptoms of childhood cancer, we will be able to detect the cancer at a much earlier stage which will help with treatment. In this blog, we cover the different types of childhood cancer. It highlights how CIMS Hospital in Bhopal is groundbreaking and is transforming lives with the medical care being provided there.
What is Childhood Cancer (Paediatric Cancer)?
Childhood cancer, or pediatric cancer refers to the diseases caused by an abnormal growth of cells in children aged 15 years or teenagers aged 19 years. Unlike in adults where cancer may be a result of bad life choices, most pediatric cancers are because of random genetic mutations. Some common forms are leukemia, brain tumors, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, and osteosarcoma which is a form of bone cancer.
Unfortunately, in Types of Childhood Cancer, common early signs like fatigue, swelling, or pain that have no clear explanation can often be signs of something else. Because of this, it is important to get checked as soon as possible. Luckily, because of progress made in chemotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapies, it is more likely for a child to survive. There are also places like the CIMS hospital located in Bhopal that provide help not only to patients but to their families as well.
Common Types of Childhood Cancer (Paediatric Cancer)
The following are the different types of childhood cancer and its symptoms:
- Leukemia:
- Leukemias is found to be the most common form of cancer among children, more specifically among kids of age 0-14, and affects the blood and bone marrow.
- Symptoms: Suffering from fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, and bone pain.
- Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors:
- These include gliomas and medulloblastomas.
- Symptoms: Pain in the head, problems such as nausea, vision, and the inability to walk properly.
- Neuroblastoma:
- This form of cancer, which commences in nerve cells, is often found in children who are five years of age or younger.
- Symptoms: Expansion and bloating of the stomach, pain in the bone, and fever.
- Lymphoma:
- This encompasses both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which target the lymphatic system.
- Symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes, excessive sweating at night, and unintentional loss of weight.
- Wilms Tumor:
- This is a kidney form of cancer that is very common in young children aged three and four.
- Symptoms: A growth or swelling in the abdomen, a high temperature, and the excretion of blood with urine.
- Retinoblastoma:
- Is a rare form of cancer that impacts the retina. It is also common among children of five years of age and below.
- Symptoms: A whitish appearance of the pupil when exposed to light, squinting, or poor eyesight.
- Bone Cancer:
- This includes Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, which are usually among teenagers.
- Symptoms: Aching bones, which are recurrent, persistent inflammation around the joints, and injuries that lead to bone breaks without any force.
These types of childhood cancer demonstrate the importance of getting specialized medical treatment that can improve chances of survival and recovery.
Childhood Cancer Symptoms to Watch For
Identifying childhood cancer symptoms at an early stage seems to be very crucial. As such here are some symptoms of childhood cancer that you should look out for:
- Continuous fever or inexplicable loss of weight.
- Abnormal growths or tumefaction in the body.
- Nausea or frequent morning sickness together with headaches.
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.
- Trouble in walking, lack of mobility, alongside pain in the neck and bones.
Parents should not delay in contacting their doctors when these symptoms either persist or worsen.
Childhood Cancer Causes
Although the real cause of childhood cancer, or pediatric cancer, is unknown, genetic changes in a child’s DNA are frequently the reason. Lifestyle variables like nutrition and smoking are rarely involved, unlike adult malignancies. A few known factors are:
- Genetic Predispositions: Down syndrome is one condition that raises the risk of cancer.
- Radiation: Even during medical procedures, high radiation exposure might increase the danger.
- Environmental Factors: There is insufficient data to conclude that exposure to certain chemicals may play a role.
CIMS Hospital, Bhopal: Favorite Destination for Cancer Patient Treatment
It can be challenging for children suffering from cancer to access suitable facilities; thus, finding appropriate healthcare facilities for such children can be daunting for their families. In Bhopal, there is The Career Institute of Medical Science (CIMS) Hospital, which is one of the best in Bhopal in terms of treating cancer.
Why choose CIMS Hospital?
- Complete Cancer Treatment: CIMS provides a complete range of services extending from diagnosis to rehabilitation to the unique nature of the children.
- Expert Staff in Oncology: All children receive tailored attention from skilled doctors who work on specific areas.
- State-of-the-art Equipment: Increased exposure to advanced chemotherapy and innovative understanding of diagnostic surgery procedures has increased the survival as well as the quality of life of the children.
- Attention to Families: Programs that focus on the patient’s psychological and emotional well-being are offered to families when they are getting treatment.
Childhood cancer is a major concern for many, and for that reason, the hospital has prioritized making the treatments affordable and allowing children to receive the best healthcare possible, no matter their background.
How to Prevent Childhood Cancer
Although some children’s cancers cannot be prevented, some steps can lower the risk:
- Regular Checkups
- Healthy Environment
- Genetic Counseling
Conclusion
Understanding the types of childhood cancer, recognizing childhood cancer symptoms, and being aware of potential childhood cancer causes can empower families to seek timely medical care. Institutions like CIMS Hospital, Bhopal, are vital in providing hope, healing, and state-of-the-art treatment to young patients.
