Key points:
- Complying with all pediatric and growth controls is of great importance for the child.
- According to data from the WHO, around 400 thousand cases of childhood cancer are registered in the world annually.
- Childhood cancer, in its different variants, is the leading cause of death in pediatric patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states, in its February 2021 report, that around 400,000 cases of childhood cancer are registered annually in the world.
Childhood cancer is considered to be any of the forms of cancer that affect pediatric patients from 0 to 18 years old and does not present differences concerning adult cancer, that is, both pathologies develop due to causes that are not entirely established and in which various factors are involved.
But due to its relevance and the peculiarities of pediatric patients, it is necessary to have and, in due course, go to a specialized treatment center.
Childhood cancer is the main cause of death in pediatric patients and, to prevent this, the possibility of treatment, the place of residence, and access to technology are vitally important factors.
According to data provided by the WHO, the following types of childhood cancer are the most common:
- Brain cancer
- Leukemia.
- Lymphomas.
- Solid tumors (neuroblastomas).
- Wilms tumors.
ABC Medical Center, through the specialists that make up its Pediatric Oncology Unit, also reports as frequent:
- Brain and central nervous system tumors.
- Hepatoblastoma and other liver tumors.
- Osteosarcoma.
- Retinoblastoma.
- Sarcoma.
- Ewing sarcoma.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Desmoplastic small cell tumor.
- Kidney tumors.
- Histiocytosis.
Symptoms of childhood cancer
As there are no identified causes or precise or conclusive signs, having an adequate medical follow-up is ideal to identify possible childhood cancer in time.
Care should also be taken in case the child shows:
- Apathy, tiredness, listlessness, or lack of energy.
- Unusual movements or lack of physical control.
- Paleness.
- Lack of appetite.
- Pain without apparent cause.
- Vomit or diarrhea.
- Headache.
- Eyesight problems.
- Appearance of spots, bruises, or bleeding.
- Unexplained fever.
- Weight loss.
You must remember that as they are still growing, the symptoms can be caused by other factors, so it is always recommended to take the child to a medical check-up. At ABC Medical Center you will find the Pediatric Center that will give you all the necessary tools for the medical control of the little ones at home.
Diagnosis and treatment
Proper medical follow-up is key to the timely detection of abnormalities. Therefore, it is recommended to see a pediatrician if the child or adolescent presents one or more of the aforementioned signs.
If the specialist considers it necessary, complementary tests will be performed to confirm a diagnosis and, if it is positive, the patient will be referred to a pediatric oncologist for extensive follow-up of the condition.
After reviewing the patient and the tests performed, the pediatric oncologist will make the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment to follow depending on the type of cancer, its characteristics, and the patient’s conditions.
After completing cancer treatment, it is crucial to continue ongoing follow-up to determine if there are secondary damages to address.
At ABC Medical Center we promote early diagnosis in children and adolescents to increase the survival rate and improve their quality of life. Having equipment and specialists in both, the Pediatric Center and the Cancer Center.
At ABC Medical Center’s Department of Pediatric Oncology, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
OMS | CDC
