Although cancer is less common in children compared to adults, it is one of the leading causes of death by disease. Study shows that cancer in childhood  is rare, and the rate at which new cases develop among children (incidence) is 15.3 per 100,000 per year, which corresponds roughly to 1 in 6,500 children and adolescents under age 20 in children is less common*.  There is a tremendous improvement in treatment for childhood cancer in past decade and it is helping children to survive.

The types of cancers that occur most often in children are different from those seen in adults. The most common cancers of children are:

1.       Leukemia – Blood and bone marrow cancer

2.       Brain and spinal cord tumors

3.       Neuroblastoma – Nerve cells cancer

4.       Wilms tumor- A rare type kidney cancer

5.       Lymphoma – Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin

6.       Rhabdomyosarcoma- Cancer in skeletal muscle

7.       Retinoblastoma- cancer of eye

8.       Bone cancer -osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma -cancer in bone forming cells and soft tissues

The three predominant types make up the majority of diagnosed cancer cases in children are: leukemia; CNS (Central Nervous system) and brain tumors and lymphomas.

Possible signs and symptoms of cancer in children

What are the risk factors and causes of childhood cancer

Leukemia – Cancer of bone marrow and blood

Neuroblastoma – Cancer in Nerve cells

Lymphomas – Cancer in lymphatic system

Rhabdomyosarcoma – Cancer in skeletal muscle

Bone cancers

Children need special care

References:

·         *Ries LAG, editor; , Eisner MP, editor; , Kosary CL, editor; , Hankey BF, editor; , Miller BA, editor; , Clegg L, editor; , Edwards BK, editor. , Editors. 2002. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1973-1999. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.

·         https://www.cancer.org/

·         https://www.neuroblastoma-info.com/

·         https://facty.com/

·         https://www.msn.com/

·         https://betahealthy.com/

·         https://www.cancer.gov/

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay