What are the causes of cancer in children, and how to eliminate these diseases, find out in the article on "Oncological disease of children and adolescents."
At the initial stages, cancer in children can manifest itself almost imperceptibly, seriously complicating the diagnosis. It is for this reason that it is so important to regularly conduct medical examinations of children and adolescents. Parents should be vigilant to monitor the child and pay attention to all the alarming signals that may indicate the illness. These alarming signals include: lethargy, frequent headaches, lack of appetite, constantly high fever, aching in the bones, unusual spots, bumps, inflammation, etc. For the diagnosis of cancer, microscopic examination of damaged tissue is carried out - for example, bone marrow samples. The appearance of the child can constantly remind you how different it is from the others. This leads to isolation, the child does not want to go to school. The psychological support provided to the child and his family is very important in this case. If a tumor is suspected, the doctor sends the patient to a blood test, an X-ray and other more specific examinations.
Oncological diseases
Leukemia (leukemia). One of the most common oncological diseases in children and adolescents, which accounts for about 23% of all cancers. Of these, approximately 80% are cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which begins in bone marrow lymphocytes, which lose their former characteristics and functions and turn into tumor cells (lymphoblasts). ALL is classified
What should a child know about his illness?
This issue is the subject of heated debate. Many experts recommend explaining to the child what is happening in order to avoid misunderstanding, to dispel fears and to achieve more willing cooperation. In any case, parents themselves should choose the right moment for such a conversation, decide what and how to explain the child, determine whether they need psychological help or support, etc. Children under 6 years old. At this age, it is difficult for a child to understand what his illness or diagnosis means, so parents should calm him and explain that this is not punishment and that the child has done nothing wrong. At this age, children and adolescents are most concerned about separation from their parents, as well as pain and discomfort. It is important that the child feels confident and maintains a positive attitude: distract him with toys and other bright objects, try to create a cozy atmosphere even in the hospital ward (you can bring some things from your child's bedroom), constantly play with him, praise for good behavior during the examination and treatment. Children aged 7-12 years. They are already beginning to understand that the state of health depends on the drugs, examinations and the implementation of the doctor's recommendations. Gradually they realize that they are sick, and understand what causes, for example, hair loss. Parents and relatives should honestly answer all questions of the child, keep a sense of humor, entertain him, try to find out what physical load is allowed to the child, provide him with meetings with classmates, friends, brothers and sisters, etc.
Children over 13 years. Teenagers are particularly concerned about social relations, they understand that the disease can prevent them from living the way their friends live. Feeling not like everyone at this age is especially painful, returning to school can be associated with stress and anxiety. The teenager should participate in decision making and in talking about his illness, so ask him to be frank, but at the same time respect the teenager's personal life and even leave him alone with the doctor. A sense of humor can help get rid of attacks of unbelief in your strength. For practical purposes, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be considered a tumor leukemia. Hodgkin's disease is usually observed in adolescents and is directly related to the Einstein-Barr virus. Of all the oncological diseases, the predictions of the cure for Hodgkin's disease are most favorable.
Treatment
For the treatment of cancer in children and adolescents, mainly surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy are used. One type of treatment is often ineffective, so they are combined. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment with drugs that affect the body as a whole, and consequently, affect healthy cells and tissues. This influence explains the most characteristic signs of chemotherapy: hair loss, ulcerative lesions, diarrhea, nausea, etc. But the most dangerous - and therefore requiring close monitoring - remains such a side effect as myelosuppression (decrease in the blood cells formed in the bone marrow). Because of it, the immune system reduces the number of cells, especially red blood cells and platelets. Therefore, during the course of chemotherapy, children are particularly vulnerable to infection. In addition, children need a blood transfusion if they have anemia, or thrombomass, if there is a risk of bleeding. Radiation therapy (X-ray therapy) is usually used together with other types of treatment. At her cancer cells are destroyed by directed powerful irradiation.
- Tumors of the brain. They are benign or malignant, the prognosis and treatment depend on the cells in which they originated, as well as the location of the tumor, its size, the age of the child, and the general state of health.
- Neuroblastoma. This tumor, often detected in the first year of a child's life, originates in the sympathetic nervous system and is located in any part of it along the spine, inside the chest or abdominal cavity, but most often in the adrenal gland. It presses on the spine, weakens the limbs, affects the functions of sphincters.
- Retinoblastoma. This cancer of the retina is not so common, but is the cause of approximately 5% of cases of childhood blindness. Can be detected before the age of 5, the likelihood of recovery is maximal, but the prognosis, treatment, and the chances of restoring vision depend on how far the disease has spread.
- Neuroblastoma (Wilms tumor). It can affect one or both kidneys, it usually occurs in children aged 2-3 years. It accounts for approximately 10% of cancers in children, most often the disease is curable.
Despite the high degree of cure, the cancer still occupies the second place after accidents in the list of the most frequent causes of child mortality in developed countries.
- Osteosarcoma. One of the most common types of bone cancers in children and adolescents. It is usually found at the ends of long bones (tibia, femur) and in the region of the knee.
- Ewing's sarcoma. The second most common after osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor of bones. Usually affects the femoral, but can spread to other bones and to the lungs.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma. The most common is found outside the bones. It always affects the muscles, it accounts for 4-8% of cancers in children.
A sick child will probably ask why he has so often to go to the hospital, why he feels so tired and often suffers from pain, why so many tests and so on. The more informed the children, the less stress for them and the more likely they help the doctors at treatment. But each case is unique, parents themselves must decide what and how to tell the child. Now you know what kind of cancer children and adolescents are.