Cancer in Children: Be Aware of The Symptoms

Cancer in children can be caused by genetic changes, which several things, such as problems during pregnancy or exposure to radiation, can cause. Meanwhile, cancer in adults, apart from genetic factors, also triggers lifestyle factors, including obesity and smoking habits.

WHO records that there are 110–130 cases of cancer per one million children per year. Based on data from the Indonesian Pediatric Center Registry, there were 3,834 new cases of childhood cancer in Indonesia in 2021–2022.

Childhood cancer symptoms

Cancer symptoms are harder to detect in children because they cannot explain their feelings.

Here are some symptoms of cancer in children:

• Pale or bruises easily. The skin looks paler, and sometimes there are bruises or moles.
• Continuous fever without a known cause, for example, in leukemia.
• Loss of energy or fatigue. Lymphoma cancer can cause fatigue in children, even when they are not doing much activity.
• Swelling or lump. Most lumps are harmless. However, it is critical to keep it in check. Cancer-causing tumors can appear in any part of the body.
• Persistent headache, with or without vomiting. This incident often occurs in the morning.
• The cough does not go away, or there are problems with breathing even though it has been treated.
• There is swelling of the glands in the neck or groin, that persists for several weeks.

A type of cancer that often attacks children

In all types of cancer, genetic changes occur that cause the body's cells to divide uncontrollably. Usually, new cells that begin to form will replace dead cells. Unfortunately, old cells do not die, even though new cells have formed. These new cells can spread to other body tissues.

This new cell growth triggers the formation of tumors. Tumors can be benign or malignant. This malignant tumor is called cancer. Cancer in children can develop suddenly. Even without experiencing any initial symptoms.

The most common cancer cases found in children are leukemia, osteosarcoma (bone), retinoblastoma, and lymphoma.

1. Leukemia

Leukemia often occurs in children aged 2–6 years. This cancer attacks the spinal cord, the soft tissue inside the bones, where the body produces white blood cells and red blood cells.

In this condition, the body produces too many abnormal white blood cells. The formation of white blood cells is so fast that more white blood cells do not mature, and as a result, the function of white blood cells to protect the body from infection is not optimal.

These cells dominate and make it difficult for the spinal cord to produce red blood cells. As a result, the child will experience anemia. Children will also lack platelets, which causes them to bleed easily or bruise.

This change in the ratio of blood cells triggers symptoms of leukemia in children: fever, easy bruising, infections, anemia, bone pain, and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Bone pain in children may be difficult to detect because they cannot convey exactly what they are feeling.

Because of this, parents should be concerned if a child who can walk suddenly prefers to be carried and doesn't want to stand and walk anymore.

2. Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer

This cancer causes bone pain at night or after activity. Frequent symptoms include redness or swelling in the painful area of the bone.

Bone cancer patients usually experience frequent bone fractures because their bones are brittle due to tissue damage. Some patients get the fever for no apparent reason, feel tired easily, and lose weight.

Osteosarcoma develops in big bones, including the thigh, tibia, and upper arm bone.

3. Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a malignant eye tumor that often attacks children under 5 years old. Rarely found in children aged 6 years or adults. Eye cancer in children occurs due to two things: inherited from parents and congenital defects.

Eye cancer symptoms may include leukocoria (white eye reflex), strabismus (crossed eyes), blurred vision, an enlarged eyeball, squinting, and eye pain.

4. Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes, white blood cells from bone marrow cells. Lymphoma resides in the blood vessels and lymph nodes of the lymph system.

The two main types of lymphoma in children are non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).

Symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, sweating, especially at night, fever, and the appearance of swelling under the skin without pain. These areas typically include the neck, armpits, and groin.

Can children survive cancer?

Most childhood cancers can be cured. 80% of them can survive until the next 5 years or adulthood. One reason is that children are more resistant to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation than adults.

How is the treatment?

Cancer treatment in children depends on the type and stage. However, most childhood cancers are treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these therapies.

Surgery is usually performed for solid tumors.

Chemotherapy drugs, which are given intravenously, attack fast-growing cells and are the cause of most childhood cancers. Childhood cancers tend to respond better to chemotherapy than some adult cancers. Side effects such as hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and low blood counts may occur, sometimes along with long-term side effects such as infertility and nerve damage.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy or harm cancer cells. Treatment sessions last less than 30 minutes and may be repeated for several weeks.

**

Cancer in children is a non-communicable disease. Early detection and appropriate treatment of any symptoms that appear provide a chance of recovery. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to their child's health so that they can immediately take action if they find suspicious symptoms.

If you find these symptoms, immediately consult a doctor by clicking WhatsApp. You can also visit the GWS Medika Clinic, a health clinic in Jakarta, to get treatment advice.