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What are symptoms of cancer in children?
Cancer is a difficult disease to detect in children, as symptoms may be minimal or even nonexistent.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among those aged younger than 15 years. However, due to significant advances in treatment, more than 80% of children with cancer survive at least 5 years beyond their diagnosis.
Although cancers that develop in adults often are due to lifestyle or environmental risk factors, cancers in children usually are caused by alterations in DNA in cells.
According to The Pediatric Oncology Resource Center, the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer include:
• unexplained weight loss;
• headaches that may be accompanied by early morning vomiting;
• increased swelling or persistent pain in the bones, joints, back or legs;
• a lump or mass, particularly in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis or armpits;
• excessive bruising, bleeding or rash;
• constant, frequent or persistent infections;
• whitish color behind the pupil;
• persistent nausea or vomiting without nausea;
• constant fatigue;
• noticeable paleness;
• eye or vision changes that occur suddenly and persist; and
• recurring or persistent fevers of unknown origin.
The most common childhood cancers include acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brain tumors, lymphomas, neuroblastoma and Wilms’ tumor.
ALL
ALL, which accounts for 34% of childhood cancers, is most common among children aged 2 to 4 years. It is more likely to occur in boys than girls.
ALL initially starts in the bone marrow and then spreads to the blood and possibly the organs. Leukemia cells grow in the bone marrow and overpower the normal cells that produce blood cells. This results in a lack of normal red and white blood cells, as well as platelets.
Common symptoms include bone and joint pain and bleeding. ALL cells may spread to other areas of the body, which can lead to symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, fever and weight loss.
Brain tumors
Brain tumors are the second most common pediatric malignancy. They account for 27% of childhood cancers.
In most cases, the onset of symptoms is gradual and they intensify with time. However, in some cases a child may experience a sudden seizure without warning.
Brain tumors in children often present in the cerebellum and result in similar symptoms as adults. These symptoms include balance problems; dizziness; frequent vomiting; headaches; and hearing, speech or vision problems.
Among young children, brain tumor symptoms may include irritability, loss of appetite, delays in development, and decreased intellectual and physical abilities. In some cases, increased head circumference — sometimes including bulging of fontanelles — is observed.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma affects the bone marrow, lymph nodes, lymph tissues and other organs in both children and adults.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most common type observed in children aged older than 3 years.
These types of childhood cancer develop quickly, but they often respond well to the intensive treatment that is required.
Signs and symptoms include fever; sweats; swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, groin or neck; weakness and weight loss. In some cases, symptoms include a swollen and painful abdomen.
Children with lymphoma in the chest experience pressure on the trachea. This may cause cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Spinal cord and brain lymphomas are characterized by headache, vision changes, facial numbness and speech impairment. Lymphomas may even occur in the skin, causing itchy, red or purple nodules underneath the skin.
Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma accounts for 7% of all childhood cancers in the United States. It is caused by immature nerve cells in several areas of the body. It occurs in both infants and young children, but it is most often reported in children younger than 5 years.
Neuroblastoma is more common among males, and 1% and 2% of children with neuroblastoma have a family history of the disease.
Symptoms include changes in the eyes — such as dark circles, droopy eyelids or eye bulging — diarrhea, high blood pressure, impairment in walking ability and pain in different areas of the body.
Wilms’ tumor
The most common pediatric kidney cancer type is Wilms’ tumor, which accounts for 5% of all pediatric cancers.
Wilms’ tumor is most common among children aged 3 to 4 years. It rarely occurs in children aged older than 6 years.
About 90% of the estimated 500 new cases in the United States each year are curable.
Children with Wilms’ tumor may not experience any signs or symptoms, making early detection difficult. However, the first sign of Wilms’ tumor often is swelling or a lump in the stomach. The swollen area of the stomach or stomach mass may feel frim and expand to both sides of the stomach, but it often is not painful. Other symptoms can include fever, nausea, pain or poor appetite.
For more information:
http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/childhood-cancer/symptoms-and-signs
https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/201209/top-5-pediatric-cancers-warning-signs
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemiainchildren/detailedguide/childhood-leukemia-signs-and-symptoms
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/wilmstumor/detailedguide/wilms-tumor-signs-and-symptoms