Childhood Cancers: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Late-effects
Understanding the Differences Between Childhood and Adult Cancers
Cancer is a difficult word for any parent to hear. While childhood cancers are rare, they can have a profound emotional and physical impact on both the child and the family. Early diagnosis, specialized treatment, and ongoing follow-up care can make a life-changing difference.
In this article, we’ll explore how childhood cancers differ from adult cancers, the most common types of childhood cancers, available treatment options, and the importance of long-term care.
Childhood Cancers vs. Adult Cancers
Childhood cancers occur in individuals under the age of 18. They are often caused by random genetic mutations that occur early in life, not by lifestyle factors. The most common types include:
Leukaemia
Brain and spinal cord tumours
Neuroblastoma
Wilms tumour
Lymphoma
In contrast, adult cancers are more likely to result from long-term exposure to environmental and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and poor diet. Common types include breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and bladder cancers.
While adult cancers often develop slowly over decades, childhood cancers tend to grow faster and require more urgent, intensive treatment — but children also respond better to therapy and have higher recovery rates.
Common Types of Childhood Cancers
1. Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and it is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for about 28% of all pediatric cancers. The two main types are:
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
Symptoms:
Tiredness and weakness
Pale skin
Frequent infections or fever
Easy bruising or bleeding
Bone or joint pain
Unexplained weight loss
2. Brain and Spinal Cord Tumours
These are the second most common childhood cancers, accounting for about 26% of all cases. They can affect thinking, movement, or balance, depending on their location.
Symptoms:
Persistent headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Blurred or double vision
Difficulty with coordination or concentration
Seizures
3. Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma starts in immature nerve cells and primarily affects children under 10 years of age. It usually begins in the abdomen but can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms:
Abdominal swelling or pain
Bone pain
Fever
Weight loss
4. Wilms Tumour
Wilms tumour (nephroblastoma) is a kidney cancer that mostly affects children under 5.
Symptoms:
Swelling or lump in the abdomen
Nausea or poor appetite
Blood in the urine (sometimes)
5. Lymphoma
Lymphoma affects the immune system, specifically lymphocytes. There are two main types:
Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Symptoms:
Persistent fever or night sweats
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
6. Rhabdomyosarcoma
This cancer develops in soft tissues such as muscles or connective tissue, often in the head, neck, abdomen, pelvis, or limbs.
Symptoms:
Swelling or lump
Pain or tenderness
Persistent fever or tiredness
7. Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the eye, and usually appears in children under 5.
Symptoms:
A white or pink reflection in the pupil (instead of red when light is shone)
Crossed or misaligned eyes
Vision problems
8. Bone Cancers
The two main types of bone cancers in children are osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, often seen in older children and teens.
Symptoms:
Persistent bone pain, especially at night
Swelling or tenderness near joints
Limping or difficulty moving a limb
Diagnosis of Childhood Cancers
Diagnosing childhood cancers involves:
Physical examination and medical history
Blood tests to check for abnormal cells
Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans
Biopsy or bone marrow aspiration, depending on the suspected cancer type
Early detection is vital, as it greatly improves treatment outcomes.
Treatment for Childhood Cancers
Treatment for childhood cancers differs from that of adults because children’s bodies are still developing. Doctors aim to cure the cancer while minimizing long-term side effects.
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. It’s often the first line of treatment because children’s cancers respond well to chemo. Drugs may be given orally or intravenously.
2. Surgery
Surgery is used to remove tumours and some surrounding healthy tissue. In some cases, surgery alone may be curative; in others, it’s combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
3. Radiation Therapy
Radiation uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. It’s used sparingly in children to avoid affecting growth and development, and only when absolutely necessary.
4. Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplant
Used mainly for leukaemia and lymphoma, this treatment replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells after intensive chemotherapy.
5. Immunotherapy
A newer treatment that strengthens the body’s immune system to fight cancer. It’s being studied for several childhood cancers, including neuroblastoma.
6. Targeted Therapy
This approach targets specific molecules in cancer cells, sparing healthy cells. It has shown promising results in leukaemia and neuroblastoma.
Treatment is usually delivered by a multidisciplinary pediatric oncology team, including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, nutritionists, and psychologists.Long-Term (Late) Effects After Childhood Cancer Treatment
While survival rates for childhood cancers are improving, survivors may face long-term side effects years after treatment. These may include:
Growth and developmental delays
Fertility problems
Cognitive challenges
Organ damage (heart, lungs, or kidneys)
Secondary cancers later in life
The risk depends on the type and intensity of treatment. Regular follow-up care helps identify and manage these late effects early.
Supporting Recovery: Diet and Care
Nutrition plays a key role in recovery. Consulting a registered oncology nutritionist ensures your child gets a personalized diet plan that supports immunity, reduces treatment side effects, and promotes healing.
Important Questions to Ask the Doctor:
Who should be part of my child’s treatment team?
How long will the recovery take?
How can I care for my child at home?
What warning signs should I watch for?
When should I seek emergency help?
Takeaway
Childhood cancers are rare but serious. They differ from adult cancers in their causes, types, and treatment approaches. Early diagnosis, specialized care, and continuous follow-up can dramatically improve survival and quality of life.
As medical science advances, survival rates are increasing — and with proper support, many childhood cancer survivors go on to live full, healthy lives.
If you notice persistent or unusual symptoms in your child, consult a pediatrician or oncologist immediately. Early detection can make all the difference.