in the human body Cancer begins as an abnormal cell division or mutation. Almost every part of the human body can produce these cancer cells. and if such cells These cells can travel to other parts. of the body regardless of age Being diagnosed with cancer is devastating and difficult to accept for a patient. But cancer in children is a completely different situation. Children and their parents experience intense emotional distress as they battle cancer.
Cancer that develops in children between birth and 14 is called childhood cancer. They are also called pediatric cancers. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, the incidence of childhood cancer has increased dramatically worldwide.
Differences between adult and pediatric cancer
Although cancer develops in children and adults in the same way. But there are some differences in the cancers children are likely to get and the treatments used to treat them.
- Perhaps the most important difference between the two is that adults are more likely to develop cancer than children. Although cancer in children is still rare. but recently Childhood cancer has become one of the main contributors to increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- In contrast to adult cancer. Cancer in children is more likely to be caused by genetic factors than environmental or lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, smoking, or a poor diet.
- over time Several studies have revealed that while children are more likely to develop cancer in different parts of the body, adults are more likely to be affected by breast, lung, colon and prostate cancers. in other words While childhood cancers start in the tissues. Adult cancer starts in various organs.
Symptoms of cancer in children
Common signs of cancer in children that parents should be aware of:
- Swelling in joints, legs, or bones
- severe headache
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- Change in vision or a cloudy color in the pupils
- Pale and very tired skin
prevention tips
When it comes to childhood cancer Some risk factors are preventable. It is known that cancer is caused by various risk factors. together all the time Preventing cancer in children can be done by limiting or avoiding exposure to harmful cancer-causing chemicals such as alcohol, smoking and air pollution during pregnancy. Exposure to radiation can cause childhood cancer in children. which is why minimal radiation exposure is recommended.
cancer treatment in children
The treatment of pediatric cancer is not necessarily the same as that of adult tumors. The type of cancer is determined by the type of treatment each patient will receive. Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and stem cell (bone marrow) transplant are some of the important treatment options.
1. Surgery: Surgical procedures are used to remove cancer cells and tumors in the body.
2. Chemotherapy: This is a drug treatment in which drugs are used to kill rapidly growing cells in the body.
3. Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system fight cancer cells.
4. Radiotherapy: High doses of radiation are used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors in the body.
