Cancers in children may be difficult to recognize, as symptoms are often similar to those caused by common illnesses or injuries. Parents should watch for unusual signs that persist and consult a physician with any concerns.
The origin of most childhood cancers is unknown and cannot be prevented. A small number of environmental factors, such as exposure to radiation, may increase childhood cancer risk. Children with genetic syndromes like Down syndrome face an increased risk for developing childhood cancer. In a small number of cases, inherited genes can be linked to an increased risk for some forms of cancer in children. Physicians may recommend close monitoring.
Treating childhood cancer differs greatly from treating adults with cancer. For example, children can recover better from high doses of chemotherapy than adults. Treatment depends on the patient’s overall health, age, cancer type, and stage of the cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, proton therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplants, and palliative medicine. A combination of treatments may be used.
Children diagnosed with cancer can benefit from being treated at centers specializing in pediatric oncology, which use protocols developed for children, have specialized pediatric equipment and pediatric and surgical sub-specialists, and have clinical trials specifically for children.
Sources: American Cancer Society, Children's Oncology Group, National Cancer Institute, National Eye Institute, and Texas Cancer Registry
