Childhood cancers have significant better curative rate compared to adult cancer. Over years, India has improved significantly in treatment of solid and blood cancer in Paediatric age group.
Every year, over four Lakh cases of childhood cancer are detected in the world and 50,000 cases are detected in India. 2018, Global Initiative of Childhood Cancer was announced by World Health Organisation. Golden Ribbon is universal symbol for childhood cancer awareness and September is the golden month for awareness of childhood cancer.
How is Childhood cancer different from adult cancer?
Blood cancers, lymphomas, bone tumours, brain tumours are seen in Paediatric age group, while breast, prostate, lung, oral, stomach cancer, multiple myeloma are seen in adult. A child is resilient warrior – fights like a Superhero. Child’s innocence regarding his diagnosis, appearance, financial strain, and prognosis- indirectly boosts a positive attitude – positively affects the treatment. Childhood cancers
respond better to chemotherapy and side effect are much less.
What is the reason behind cancer in paediatric age group?
Pollution, adulteration in food, increase in junk food, lifestyle changes, exposure to chemicals/insecticides/fertilisers/plastics are few of the reasons for genetic mutation leading to disturbance in cell division mechanism in body leading to unstoppable multiplication of cells- leading to cancer. Even after numerous scientific researches, causes of cancer still need further studies. Very little is known about prevention of cancer. in today’s era with latest technology, recent advances, early diagnosis, and better treatment facilities – the cure of childhood cancer has shown significant better results. Prevention of cancer will still require tremendous research and studies.
What are early Signs/Symptoms of childhood cancer?
Early diagnosis and timely treatment is the most important prognostic factor in treatment of childhood cancer.
Early Signs/ symptoms of childhood cancer :
- 1. Fever persists beyond 1-2 weeks without infection.
- 2. Bone pain/ backache.
- 3. Painless swelling in abdomen, neck and bones
- 4. Unexplained weight loss
- 5. Bruising/ epistaxis
- 6. Pallor
- 7. Recent onset of squint
- 8. white reflex in the pupil / protrusion of eyes.
- 9. Brain tumours can present with recurrent headaches, vomiting or disturbance in balance and gait.
Is childhood cancer curable? What is available treatment option for childhood
cancer?
Nonavailability of treatment options, few chemotherapy centres, financial constraints, lack of awareness and social taboos – were few of the reasons that less than 15-20 % survived cancer – two decades back. With existing stigma of cancer in society, diagnosis of cancer is equivalent to death sentence. Current day scenario has changed drastically and there are better cure trends and advanced chemotherapy protocols. The treatment protocol for Acute lymphoblastic leukemia – the commonest blood cancer in children –lasts a period of 2-2.5 years has curative rate of 85- 90%. Various cancers have different treatment period ranging from 4 months to 2.5 years. There is 5 – 10 % chance that cancer can relapse within 5 years of cure. With widespread availability of better laboratory setups, medical facilities and extensive help from government facilities and NGOs- treatment is available in two- tier cities since last decade.
Can child have a normal life after cancer treatment?
Even though childhood cancer treatment is challenging, but our superheroes recover soon. Within months of completion of chemotherapy, hair loss and skin changes become normal like before. Those are not permanent changes. Child returns to normal life after completion of treatment. Brain and bone tumours have late effects, but these are minimised by newer technologies- targeted therapies. There are lot of support groups and online schools which help tremendously to normalise the life during treatment and even after completion of chemotherapy.
Is financial help available in India?
There is tremendous help available in cancer field for financial and social support. Since its long protocol – inclusive of chemotherapy drugs, laboratory test, radiation and surgery – parents often require financial support during the treatment. Government provides Prime Minister fund, Chief minister fund, MPJAY, Ayushman scheme. NGOs likes Tata trust, Cipla Foundation, Kalpaturu, Cankids, CPAA, Decimat contribute immensely in assisting help for funds, chemotherapy drugs, expensive investigation and online school for child during treatment and after treatment, making this journey a little easy. Karo, AccessLife provides home away from home facilities for stay in various studies for different cities- to make this treatment available for children living in remotest area.
Is Bone Marrow Transplant compulsory for all childhood cancer?
Childhood cancer responds beautifully to chemotherapy facilities. Curative rate of childhood cancer is 80- 85 %. But unfortunately, in 5- 10 % children, doesn’t respond to chemotherapy or they relapse early after completion of treatment. In such cases, Bone Marrow Transplant is treatment of choice. The type of transplant- Autologous or Allogenic, depends on type of cancer. Availability of donor, financial aid, Physical status of patient are few important aspects in consideration of bone marrow transplant. A proper counselling is done and after explaining the procedure, pros- cons, complications, mortality/morbidity- consent is taken of parents for such important decision and transplant is initiated. Lack of awareness regarding early signs of cancer, late diagnosis, unavailability of standard of care, delay in treatment is few of remarkable factors in poor prognosis of cancer.
To shed more light on childhood cancer – September is celebrated as childhood cancer awareness with #turngoldcampaign all over the world.