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World Childhood Cancer Day is set for 15 February and aims to raise awareness and knowledge about childhood cancers.
A few words about the disease
Childhood cancer refers to infancy, childhood and adolescence. It is a rare but life-threatening disease and is the second leading cause of death in children. In our country, around 300 children are affected by cancer, mainly leukaemia, every year.
It is now a reality that, with early diagnosis and appropriate medical care, more than 70% of sick children are cured. The greatest achievement of medicine is that, today, 80% of children with leukaemia get well.
What are the most common forms of childhood cancer?
Children's cancers are different from those of adults. The main types of childhood cancer are:
- Leukaemias (acute lymphoblastic, acute myeloblastic)
- Tumours of the central nervous system - mainly brain tumours (astrocytoma, glioma, myeloblastoma, coccygeal tumour)
- Lymphomas (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's)
- Retinal tumors (retinoblastoma)
- Soft tissue sarcomas (rhabdomyosarcoma) and bone sarcomas (osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma)
- Tumours of the kidneys (nephroblastoma) and adrenal glands (neuroblastoma)
- Liver tumors (hepatoblastoma)
What are the causes of the disease?
The causes of cancer in children are not known. Heredity accounts for less than 10% of cases. However, there are some risk factors that increase the chance of developing cancer in children. Such factors include:
- Underlying diseases
- Problems with growth in the uterus
- Exposure to infections
- Exposure to radiation
- Previous treatments for cancer
Are there any warning signs?
Although the prevention of cancer in children is generally limited, awareness on the part of the paediatrician and parents is required so that suspicious symptoms or findings are assessed and referred for specialist screening in a timely manner. Such symptoms are:
- Appearance of a mass, tumor or swelling in any part of the body
- Loss of energy, persistent fatigue
- Abrupt changes in behaviour
- Unexplained pallor
- Sudden appearance of bruises and bruises
- Persistent, localised pain, bone pain, swelling or trouble walking
- Unexplained prolonged fever
- Repeated infections
- Frequent headaches that may be accompanied by vomiting
- Sudden changes in the eyes, such as strabismus and changes in vision
- Appearance of problems in balance
- Unexplained, excessive or rapid weight loss
The presence of such signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that the child has some form of cancer, but it is necessary to have tests to rule out - or not - such a possibility.
What is the treatment of the disease?
Once the type and stage of the disease is identified, a multidisciplinary team consisting of paediatricians, paediatric surgeons, specialist nurses and mental health specialists will design and implement the treatment plan. This will determine the type, frequency and duration of treatment and provide psychological support for the child and family.
The main problems during treatment are repeated hospital admissions, infections or other complications, failure of some treatment regimens, side effects and changes in the child's daily routine. These problems place an additional burden on the child and the family, making the process even more difficult. Therefore, close cooperation with the medical team is the key ingredient for successful treatment, support and facilitation of the child. The optimistic thing is that, nowadays, about 70% of cases are cured.
How can parents manage it?
Childhood cancer is not only a serious disease, but also a complex, difficult and emotionally painful condition. It affects not only the child, but also the whole family. Their whole life changes dramatically, with uncertainty being the main feature. Many parents feel that their strength will not be enough, while fear, sadness, anger and despair prevail within them.
The child needs comfort and support, which only his or her parents can provide. Therefore, parents must remain strong and stable so that they can stand by him. To make this possible, the medical team must understand the needs of the child and parents, support them in every way possible and ensure that they have an open channel of communication with mental health specialists. In this way, they will help them to cope with this crisis with the least possible physical and mental burden.
Bibliography
- https://www.onmed.gr/ygeia/story/395000/poia-einai-ta-aitia-toy-karkinoy-stin-paidiki-ilikia
- https://www.mothersblog.gr/paidi/ygeia/story/129420/pagkosmia-hmera-kata-toy-paidikoy-karkinoy-ta-symptomata-poy-den-prepei-na-agnoisete
- https://www.maxmag.gr/soma-igia/iatrika-nea/paidikos-karkinos-poies-oi-aities-emfanisis-toy/
- https://www.i-psyxologos.gr/paidikos-karkinos/
- https://www.floga.org.gr/enhmerwnomai/o-karkinos-ths-paidikhs-hlikias/
- https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/news/1575-pagkosmia-hmera-kata-toy-paidikoy-karkinoy
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