Pediatric cancer refers to cancers that occur in children and adolescents, typically from birth through 18 years of age. Unlike adult cancers, which are often associated with environmental or lifestyle factors, pediatric cancers usually arise from random genetic mutations during early development. These cancers tend to be more aggressive in nature, but they also often respond more effectively to treatment compared to adult cancers.
Some of the most common types of pediatric cancer include:
- Leukemia is a blood and bone marrow cancer, most commonly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- Brain and Spinal cord Tumors include medulloblastomas, gliomas, and ependymomas.
- Neuroblastoma: cancer that develops from immature nerve cells and commonly affects children under the age of 5.
- Wilms Tumor: a type of kidney cancer that typically affects children aged 3 to 4 years.
- Lymphomas: cancers of the lymphatic system, including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma: cancer of muscle tissue.
- Retinoblastoma: cancer of the eye’s retina, typically in children younger than 5.
- Bone Cancers: Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are common types in children and adolescents.
How To Treat Pediatric Cancers
Despite the aggressive nature of many pediatric cancers, advances in medical research and treatment have significantly improved survival rates over the past few decades. Therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplants have become the standard of care, tailored specifically for younger patients. However, pediatric cancer remains a global health concern due to the complexity of treatment, potential long-term effects on the physical and emotional development of children, and disparities in outcomes across different regions of the world.