About childhood cancer

What is childhood cancer?

400,000+

New cases annually (WHO).

What is childhood cancer?

Childhood cancer is a disease that starts in the body’s cells, the tiny building blocks that make up all organs and tissues. Normally, cells grow and divide in a controlled way, but cancer develops when certain cells start to grow and multiply uncontrollably.

Childhood cancers are quite different from cancers affecting adults. Cure rates for most childhood cancers are much higher than those for most adult cancers.

Common types of childhood cancer

Worldwide, leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for about one third of all cases. The next most common childhood cancers are brain tumours and lymphomas, followed by embryonal tumours and sarcomas.

Leukemia

When cancer affects the blood, it is called Leukaemia. Leukaemia occurs when one of the types of blood cells changes into a cancerous cell that is no longer under the body’s control. These abnormal cells divide and multiply in number but do not form a lump or tumour. Instead, the abnormal cells take over the bone marrow and spread via the bloodstream into the lymph glands, spleen and the rest of the body.

Brain tumors

There are many different forms of brain tumours. A few are benign (non-cancerous), and others are malignant (cancerous). The majority of brain tumours in children are malignant. Brain tumours do not usually spread throughout the body but can spread within the brain and spinal cord.

Lymphoma

Tumours that start in the lymph glands are called lymphomas. The body's lymphatic system is made up of a collection of lymph nodes, each the size of a pea. These nodes are connected by lymphatic vessels (similar to veins) which circulate fluid and cells. The main function of the lymphatic system is to control infection and provide a collection and transportation system for white blood cells that help fight infections in the body.

Embryonal tumors

Embryonal tumours are a type of cancer that develops from cells left over from foetal development, specifically in the central nervous system. They are typically found in babies and young children, and the most common type is medulloblastoma.

Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the body's connective tissues, which include bone, muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and cartilage. It is categorized into two main types: bone sarcoma (originating in bone) and soft tissue sarcoma (originating in soft tissues like muscle, fat, etc.).

Early warning signs

Different countries, organisations and institutions unpack the early warning signs of childhood cancer in different ways so that people can understand it.

The most common early warning signs of children who might have cancer are:

White reflex or white spot in the eye

Seek medical help for a white reflex or a white spot in the eye , a recent onset of a squint, a bulging eye or a sudden loss of vision.

Lumps, bumps or masses

Lumps, bumps or masses any place in the body but mostly in the stomach, head, jaw, cheek, arms, legs, glands and the groin area.

Unexplained fever, tiredness, easy bleeding

Unexplained fever over two weeks, loss of weight, paleness (pallor), fatigue (tiredness), easy bleeding or bruising.

Easy fractures

Unexplained aching bones, joints and easy fractures.

Headaches

Headaches for more than a week with or without vomiting, enlarging head, change or deterioration in walk, balance or speech, and regression of milestones.

Treatments

Types of treatment

Treatments

Types of treatment

Surgery

Radiotherapy

Chemotherapy

Bone marrow transplant (BMT)

Immunotherapy

Surgery

This is the most direct way of dealing with a tumour and is the main treatment for localised (contained in one area), solid tumours. Surgery is often followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Sometimes it is necessary to also remove surrounding tissue or nearby lymph nodes.

Radiotherapy

Radiation is a treatment given by high energy x-rays that kill cancer cells in their path. This is also a treatment for a local, solid tumour. The number of treatments will vary depending on the diagnosis. Your doctor and the team of radiologists and radiotherapists will explain every aspect of the treatment to you in detail.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy describes the drugs used in the treatment of cancer. Drugs may be given orally, intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intrathecally.

Bone marrow transplant (BMT)

BMT is the transplanting of stem cells from the bone marrow of a healthy donor to the patient. The patient's unhealthy bone marrow cells are destroyed, and then healthy bone marrow cells are infused into the patient, almost like a blood transfusion. There are different kinds of BMT and there are many factors to consider when deciding which type of transplant should be used for a particular patient.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy works by boosting the child’s immune system to fight cancer. The body's immune system is made up of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These circulate through the body to protect it and fight against infections.

This is the most direct way of dealing with a tumour and is the main treatment for localised (contained in one area), solid tumours. Surgery is often followed by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Sometimes it is necessary to also remove surrounding tissue or nearby lymph nodes.

Radiation is a treatment given by high energy x-rays that kill cancer cells in their path. This is also a treatment for a local, solid tumour. The number of treatments will vary depending on the diagnosis. Your doctor and the team of radiologists and radiotherapists will explain every aspect of the treatment to you in detail.

Chemotherapy describes the drugs used in the treatment of cancer. Drugs may be given orally, intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intrathecally.

BMT is the transplanting of stem cells from the bone marrow of a healthy donor to the patient. The patient's unhealthy bone marrow cells are destroyed, and then healthy bone marrow cells are infused into the patient, almost like a blood transfusion. There are different kinds of BMT and there are many factors to consider when deciding which type of transplant should be used for a particular patient.

Immunotherapy works by boosting the child’s immune system to fight cancer. The body's immune system is made up of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These circulate through the body to protect it and fight against infections.

Common side effects

Anaemia

The symptoms of anaemia are paleness, dizziness, weakness and lack of energy, headache and irritab...

Nausea and vomiting

The nausea and vomiting occur soon after the chemotherapy drugs have been given and can last for s...

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy can start within hours of receiving the treatment...

Constipation

This is caused by some chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, pain medication and a diet that lack...

Poor appetite and weight loss

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may make your child feel nauseous and sick because the mucosal cells...

Weight gain

Excessive weight gain and a round ‘moon’ face are common side effects of treatment with steroid dr...

Hair loss (alopecia)

Hair loss or alopecia caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy usually does not bother small childr...

Pain

Many parents fear seeing their child in pain, but not all cancers or cancer-related pain are sever...

About childhood cancer

What is childhood cancer?

What is childhood cancer?