Childhood cancer
Childhood Cancer
Childhood cancer (/ˈtʃaɪldˌhʊd ˈkænsər/), also known as pediatric cancer, refers to a cancer that is diagnosed in children and adolescents. The term is generally used to refer to cancers that occur between birth and 18 years of age.
Etymology
The term "childhood cancer" is derived from the English words "childhood" (from Old English cild meaning "fetus, infant, unborn or newly born person") and "cancer" (from Latin cancer meaning "crab", due to the crab-like spread of the disease).
Types of Childhood Cancer
There are several types of childhood cancer, which are different from adult cancers. The most common types include:
- Leukemia: This is the most common type of cancer in children. It affects the bone marrow and blood.
- Brain and central nervous system tumors: These are the second most common cancers in children.
- Neuroblastoma: This cancer starts in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. It can also develop along the backbone.
- Wilms tumor: This kidney cancer is most common in children aged 3 to 4.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma: This cancer starts in the cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles.
- Retinoblastoma: This is an eye cancer that usually affects children aged 2 or younger.
- Bone cancers: These include osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, which often occur in teenagers.
Symptoms
Symptoms of childhood cancer can vary widely depending on the type of cancer and where it is located in the body. Common symptoms can include fever, fatigue, weight loss, pain, swelling, skin changes, and vision changes.
Treatment
Treatment for childhood cancer depends on the type of cancer and its stage. It may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these.
Prognosis
The prognosis for childhood cancer depends on the type of cancer, the stage at diagnosis, the child's age, and other factors. In general, the survival rate for children with cancer has significantly improved over the past few decades due to advances in treatment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Childhood cancer
- Wikipedia's article - Childhood cancer
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