Overview
Childhood cancers are a group of cancers that develop in children and adolescents. Common types include leukemia, brain and spinal cord tumors, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, and bone cancers. These cancers often behave differently from adult cancers, so care is usually provided by pediatric cancer specialists.
Key Symptoms
Possible warning signs can include unusual tiredness, ongoing fever, easy bruising or bleeding, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, headaches with vomiting, a lump or swelling, or frequent infections. Some children may develop changes in vision, balance, walking, or behavior. These symptoms can also happen with many non-cancer conditions, but persistent, unexplained, or worsening symptoms need medical assessment.
Causes and Risk Factors
For most childhood cancers, the exact cause is not known. They usually are not linked to the lifestyle factors that commonly affect adult cancers. A small number are associated with inherited genetic conditions or exposure to high levels of radiation, but many children who develop cancer have no known risk factor.
Who Is Affected
Childhood cancer can affect infants, children, and teenagers in all parts of the world. Different cancer types are more common at different ages. It can occur in families with no previous history, although some inherited conditions can raise risk.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent most childhood cancers. Because most cases do not have a clear avoidable cause, parents should not blame themselves. General healthy living supports overall health, but it does not guarantee prevention of childhood cancer.
Diagnosis and Tests
Doctors may start with a physical exam and questions about symptoms and medical history. Tests can include blood tests, urine tests, imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI, and sometimes a biopsy or bone marrow test. Diagnosis and staging help the care team understand the cancer type, location, and how far it has spread.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the type of cancer, the child's age, where the cancer is located, and whether it has spread. Main treatment categories include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant in selected cases. Supportive care is also important to manage pain, infections, nutrition needs, and treatment side effects.
Living With It
Childhood cancer affects the whole family, including emotional health, school life, finances, and daily routines. Children may need rehabilitation, mental health support, educational support, and long-term follow-up after treatment. Survivorship care can help watch for late effects and support healthy development.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if a child has symptoms that are severe, persistent, unexplained, or getting worse, especially repeated fevers, unusual bruising, ongoing bone pain, persistent headaches, vomiting, seizures, or a new lump. It is also important to contact a healthcare professional if a child being treated for cancer develops new symptoms or side effects. Early evaluation can help identify the cause and speed up treatment if needed.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help right away if a child has trouble breathing, severe bleeding, a seizure, confusion, extreme sleepiness, signs of stroke, a high fever during cancer treatment, or severe dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea. Emergency help is also needed for sudden weakness, severe headache with vomiting, or rapidly worsening pain or swelling. Children receiving cancer treatment can become seriously ill quickly if they develop infection or other complications.