Cancer in Children: Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For.

Cancer is a disease that does not discriminate against anyone irrespective of age, and also children are not spared by it. Despite the fact that childhood cancer is an uncommon medical condition as compared to cancer in adults, it still remains to be a serious health problem on a global scale. It is extremely important to find and detect cancer in children as early as possible so that it can lead to successful treatment and better outcomes after treatment for children. Here, through this blog, we will go through the different cancer types that affect children and their loving families, together with the signs and symptoms parents or caregivers should be looking for.

Understanding Childhood Cancer
One of many cancers that children may experience is completely different and very distinct from the ones adults often tend to develop. The main types of cancer in children fall under leukaemia, brain and central nervous system tumours, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, and lymphoma.

1. Leukemia: Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow, it can be easily distinguished from other types of cancers by the abnormal overproduction of white blood cells. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the type of leukemia which occurs most often in children, affects the majority of all cancer cases in children. Symptoms of leukemia may include fatigue, paleness of the skin, fever, easy bruising or bleeding, bone pain and swollen lymphous nodes which should never be ignored.

2. Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors: Brain and spinal cord tumours can affect different parts of the central nervous system, which results in a wide variety of symptoms depending on their location and size. Symptoms that are most obvious can be for instance headaches, seizures, vision problems, vomiting and walking or balancing difficulties. They can also be in the form of behaviour and personality changes among children.

3. Neuroblastoma: Neuroblastoma is often referred to as an unspecified type of cancer that stems from immature nerve cells and predominantly results from the adrenal glands or nerve tissue around the spine. Symptoms of neuroblastoma are varied and may include abdominal pain, a mass or lump in the abdomen, difficulties with bowel or bladder habits, bone pain, and weakness or paralysis among various age groups of children.

4. Wilms Tumour: Wilms tumour is a kind of kidney cancer which is prominent in children within the age bracket of 3-4 years. In Wilms tumour, the signs and symptoms can comprise abdominal swelling or pain, blood in the urine, high blood pressure, fever, and constipation for which parents and caregivers should pay keen attention.

5. Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a malicious disease that affects the lymphatic system (lymph nodes, spleen, and other lymphoid tissues). The two types of lymphoma that are more common in children than adults are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The symptoms of lymphoma could include enlarging lymph nodes, fever, loss of weight, tiredness, sweating at night, and persistent itch in the body.

Signs and Symptoms for Cancer in Children:
Recognizing childhood cancer symptoms is absolutely critical for early detection and for the subsequent administration of effective medical intervention measures. While these symptoms may vary depending on the type and location of the tumour, there are some common warning signs that parents and caregivers should be aware of:

1. Unexplained Weight Loss: Unexplainable and sudden weight loss particularly in children may be a sign of some cause to look out for and a medical professional should be consulted. Decreased appetite, can trigger weight loss. Cancer may cause metabolic shifts, leading to weight loss. The body may also make a recovery response to the disease, which results in significant weight loss.

2. Persistent Fever: A prolonged fever over several days along with symptoms like weak feeling and night sweating is an indication of an underlying condition that should be investigated by a health care professional. Fever may be interpreted as a symptom of infection or inflammation, possibly a sign of a severe underlying health disease, including cancer.

3. Persistent Pain: The long-term pain is more common in children with cancer and the most common sites affected by this pain are bones and joints. Headaches, back pain, stomach pain, and limb pain are among the most prevalent symptoms of the kinds of cancer that can strike children and should not be taken lightly.

4. Fatigue and Weakness: Any repeated tiredness or general weakness that prevents the child from taking their normal positions in daily activities should trigger a visit to a healthcare provider for expert medical evaluation. Physical tiredness may be caused by the body’s reaction to cancer infection or the side effects of cancer treatment which are brought by chemotherapy or radiation.

5. Changes in Appetite or Digestive Issues: Loss of appetite or a feeling of early satiety may be a symptom of a major health problem, including cancer. Digestive difficulties like nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea may be observed and consulting with a healthcare provider is advisable if these conditions do not subside.

6. Bruising or Bleeding: Unusual bruising, bleeding or easy bruising without any known injury can be an indication of a blood disorder or leukemia. It is undeniable that you must ask for medical help if your kid develops unexplained bruising or bleeding.

7. Swelling or Lumps: Contrary to belief, swollen lymph nodes and lumps which can persist or grow in size need to be checked by the health professional for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. These symptoms may signal an underlying health issue, such as cancer, so you should not ignore them to be healed naturally.

Early detection of cancer in a child is the basis for the effective treatment to start on time and thus the outcome of the treatment will be better as well. Parents and caregivers should keep looking after their child’s overall health and voluntarily inform their doctor about unusual health symptoms in their child. Even though the appearance of such symptoms isn’t an undeniable indication of cancer, early consultation with a doctor is very much needed for further testing and to rule out the possibility of this life-threatening illness. The earlier it is detected and when prompt action is taken, the higher the chances of survival and improvement in life quality for children with cancer have.