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Pediatric Cancer, is also called childhood cancer. During their childhood, one out of every 10,000 normal children will acquire cancer. For both the child and his or her parents, the first diagnosis can be worrisome and distressing says, Dr. Vikas Dua, the Best Pediatric Hemato Oncologist in Delhi. These feelings are natural and normal, but they are worsened by a lack of knowledge and some misunderstandings. In the majority of cases, there is no specific explanation or cause for the child’s cancer, and it is not the responsibility of the parents, therefore parents should not feel ashamed or guilty. The good news is that all children’s cancers can be treated, and the majority of them can be cured.
Most Common Types of Pediatric Cancer
1. Leukemia: The most common kind of cancer in children is leukemia. Cancer affects around one out of every three children. Leukemia is a blood cancer caused by an increase in the number of white blood cells in the body. White blood cells squeeze out the red blood cells and platelets that your body needs to be healthy. Common leukemia found in children is Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). These cancers can cause tiredness, weakness, fever, pale skin, dizziness or light-headedness, weight loss, nosebleeds or bleeding gums, joint pains. As acute leukemia have a tendency to grow quickly, they need immediate medical intervention (initial stabilization and chemotherapy).
2. Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors
The second most common cancers in children are the brain and spinal cord tumors. They are most common in the lower areas of the brain, such as the cerebellum and brain stem.
Severe or persistent headaches, nausea, double vision, dizziness, excessive drinking or urination, difficulties walking or holding items, and vomiting are the most common symptoms of brain and spinal tumors.
Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy are some of the most common therapies for brain and spinal tumors, says Dr. Vikas Dua, the Best Pediatric Hemato Oncologist in Delhi..
3. Neuroblastomas
This cancer affects newborns and children under the age of five. Neuroblastomas are a kind of childhood cancer that can start anywhere and can cause severe bone pain and fever if it spreads. They account for around 6% of all childhood cancers.
A bulge or swelling around the abdomen, or in your child’s thighs, upper chest, neck, or face, is one of the signs. It’s also possible that your child will lose weight. They may have difficulty breathing or eating, as well as going to the restroom. Pain in the bones is another sign.
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are all options for treatment. In certain circumstances, stem cell transplants are a possibility. Doctors may also recommend retinoid as a therapy option. Immunotherapy, a type of therapy that helps your child’s immune system to fight the disease (the body’s natural defense against infections), is another option.
4. Wilms Tumor
It usually starts in one or both kidneys. They account for around 4-5% of all pediatric cancers and are commonly found in children aging 3-4 years.
Doctors aren’t sure why children get Wilms tumors, although gene mutation, like other diseases, may play a role. Wilms tumors have been related to a variety of birth defects or anomalies.
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are all options for treatment.
A bloated stomach or a lump in that area are common symptoms. Fever, nausea, and a loss of appetite are all possible side effects. Constipation or blood in the urine are examples of symptoms that might occur.
5. Lymphoma
Lymphocytes, which are immune system cells, develop this type of cancer. It usually manifests itself initially in locations with lymph nodes or tissues, such as the neck, armpits, or groin (an area of your hip between your stomach and thigh). The most common symptoms are loss of appetite, fever, sweating, tiredness, swollen lymph nodes under the neck and armpit, and excessive weight loss.
There are two forms of lymphomas:
6. Rhabdomyosarcoma
Sarcomas are cancers that develop in the connective tissues of the body, such as muscle and fat. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer that develops in muscle cells.
Types of Rhabdomyosarcoma
In children, there are two kinds of rhabdomyosarcoma:
Pain, a swollen lump, or both are the most common signs of rhabdomyosarcoma. The other signs and symptoms vary depending on where the cancer is found in the body. Tumors in the ear, for example, can cause earaches, headaches, and nosebleeds.
7. Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is a very uncommon cancer that affects bones tissue. Bone cancer occurs when cells in your bone grow out of control. It destroys normal bone tissue. It weakens your bones and leads to broken bones or other problems.
Bone cancers account for around 3% of all cancers in children. In children, there are two forms of sarcoma: osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
Osteosarcoma is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. For Ewing sarcoma, doctors perform the same therapies, even if in certain cases, a stem cell transplant may be required.
8. Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that accounts for around 2% of all pediatric cancers. Cancer mainly affects children, usually around the age of two. Doctors frequently detect cancer when they see something strange about a child’s eyes. When a doctor shines a light on the pupil of the eye, the black area in the middle may seem white or pink instead of the typical red color.
Surgery, radiation therapy, and laser therapy are all options for treatment. Another possibility is chemotherapy. Cryotherapy, a method of destroying cancer cells by freezing them, is also an option.
Pediatric Cancer Doctor is responsible for treating all malignant conditions among children like leukemia, bone cancers, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, brain, and spinal cord tumors among several others. With timely, appropriate, and complete treatment, the majority of children with cancer get cured and can lead their lives peacefully. Dr. Vikas Dua is the best Pediatric Hemato Oncologist in Delhi. that provides world-class pediatric oncology care facilities. Dr. Vikas and his team are trusted by many countries and have treated children from all across the world with excellent outcomes. Check OPD schedule and book appointments with the best Pediatric Cancer Doctors in Gurgaon.
Dr. Vikas Dua is one of the leading consultants in the field of Pediatric- Hematooncology & Bone Marrow transplants. He has 20+ years of experience and has performed many successful BMTs for thalassemia and leukemia cases for children from India, Afghanistan, Iraq, and African Countries.
