Cancer in children, though is rare but not unlikely. There are ample cases where children were not diagnosed for cancer, in time and proved fatal. As a parent, we must not ignore these cardinal signs of cancer in children and discuss with Pediatrician. Cancer has a 1 in 350 chance of occurrence, but cancer is the second most prominent cause of death in children. Childhood cancer progresses rapidly and a quick diagnosis enhances the chances of survival. Cancer is devastating for parents and family too, but a significant percentage of these pediatric cancer patients are long term survivors. Childhood cancer is as difficult to diagnose for a pediatrician too, because most symptoms can be jumbled with other benign conditions.
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The most common types of cancer in children are Leukemia, Brain tumors, Neuroblastoma, Lymphoma. And there are certain more related to bones and tissues. Children have different symptoms than adults for most of their ailments. Cancer also shows different and generally un-specific signs of cancer.
The Pediatric Oncology Resource Centre gave and acronym describing symptoms for childhood cancer:
Continued, unexplained weight loss
Headaches, often with early morning vomiting
Increased swelling or persistent pain in the bones, joints, backs or legs
Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, armpits
Development of excessive bruising, bleeding or rash
Constant, frequent or persistent infections
A whitish color behind the pupils
Nausea that persists or vomiting without nausea
Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
Eye or vision changes that occur suddenly and persist
Recurring or persistent fevers of unknown origin
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Cardinal signs of cancer in children are:
1- Recurrent fever of mild nature which doesn’t go away:
Children catch the fever for any infection or flu, so check the frequency and effect of medication. The continuous appearing and disappearing of fever with antibiotic is a sign of cancer. This keeps on for months, then blood profiling must be done.
2- Pain and aches with extremely vague nature:
Bone pains and muscle pain must not be ignored if they are recurring. Specially pain in the legs and soreness as if beaten, is a sign that must be informed for further diagnosis. Children are buoyant and full of energy and despite workouts and running they do not get such frequent pains. Swelling, tenderness and limping may also occur which is a sign for leukemia or osteosarcoma. These are very common childhood cancers.
3- Blurred vision and headache with vomiting:
Constant and sever headache with blurred vision and vomiting are a sign for childhood brain cancer. These are the reflex symptoms created by tumors inside.
4- Formation on lymph nodes in the body specially around neck areas:
Lymph nodes in neck areas are a sure sign for anomaly. It must be diagnosed further.
5- Recurrent injuries, bruises and ecchymoses skin:
Injuries and bruises are very common in childhood. Mostly anti-inflammatories get relief and children become active again. But injuries in certain vulnerable areas must never be ignored, like testes, ovaries, head, thighs, genitals as these sites are prone to grow cancer. After injuries tissues grow lumps here and cause stay hard tumor mass.
6- Unexplained anorexia:
Anorexia accompanied by weight loss and infections. Also contributed by behavioral problems is a sign for childhood cancer.
7- Urinary problems:
Urine retention or bed wetting (enuresis) especially with neurological symptoms or abdominal mass is a serious symptom.
8- Palpable mass:
Any palpable mass in the abdomen resulting in pain and constipation. These must be investigated further
9- Paleness and fatigue:
Persistent paleness and loss of every with recurrent infections and bleeding manifestations. Bleeding of the nose, gums and bruises, severe and recurring, also must be investigated further
10- Behavioral and performance changes:
Any abnormal changes in behavior and persistent loss in activities and performance must not be ignored. Check with day care or school for further behavioral issues of child and speak with your health care provider soon. Check how to deal with children’s behavior issues.
Childhood cancer, though rare, but causes serious impacts. Any warning or cardinal sign must be diagnosed further. Keep monitoring your child for every abnormal and persistent behavioral changes. Also keep record for her growth.
See your pediatrician immediately for any unusual lymph or mass. The earlier we detect the better are the chances or curing and long term survival.
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Minu Manisha
