CHILDHOOD CANCER

What is childhood cancer?

Childhood cancers are cancers that primarily affect children, teens and young adults. It is important to understand that when cancer strikes children and young people, it affects them differently than it does adults.

For example, young patients often have a more advanced stage of cancer when first diagnosed. Only about 20% of adults with cancer show evidence that the disease has spread at the time of diagnosis, yet 80% of children show that cancer has spread to distant sites in the body when the disease is first diagnosed.

While most adult cancers result from lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet, occupation, and other exposure to cancer-causing agents, the causes of most childhood cancers, are not yet known. While adult cancers are primarily those of the lung, colon, breast, prostate and pancreas, childhood cancers are mostly those of the white blood cells (leukemias), brain, bone, the lymphatic system and tumors of the muscles, kidneys and nervous system. Each of these behaves differently, but all are characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells.

The majority of adult cancer sufferers are treated in their local community by family physicians, consulting surgeons, medical oncologists or other cancer specialists. Cancers in children are rarely treated by family physicians or pediatricians. A child with cancer must be diagnosed precisely and treated by physicians and clinical and laboratory scientists who have special expertise in managing the care of children with cancer. Such teams are found only in major children's hospitals, university medical centers and cancer centers.

Childhood cancer is difficult to recognize, because most children's cancers are asympto-matic (there are no symptoms, as in adult cancers). Be alert for unusual signs and discuss with your pediatrician —

• Unusual swelling, lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits
• Unexplained paleness/loss of energy
  
• Sudden tendency to bruise, bleed or rash
• Persistent localized pain or limping
• Prolonged, unexplained fever or illness
• Sudden eye or vision changes
• Excessive, rapid weight loss
• Continued, unexplained weight loss
• Headaches, often with vomiting, at night or early morning
• Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back, or legs
• Constant infections
• A whitish color behind the pupil
• Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea
• Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
• Recurrent fevers of unknown origin

Statistics

• On the average, one in every four elementary schools has a child with cancer. The average high school has two students who are current or former cancer patients.
• One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.
• With continued progress in research, the cure rate for cancers diagnosed prior to age 20 can approach 85%.
• Cancer is the NUMBER ONE disease killer of children: More children die from cancer than from AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and diabetes COMBINED!!!
• Cancer in childhood occurs regularly, randomly and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region.
• While most adult cancers result from lifestyle factors, such as smoking, diet, occupation, and other exposure to cancer-causing agents, the causes of most childhood cancers, are not yet known. At present, childhood cancer cannot be prevented.
• Most people don't even know children can develop cancer. Share what you know with family and friends...and help kids fighting cancer.

Facts and statistics from CureSearch, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Childrens Oncology Group.