Childhood Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Long-Term Effects You Need to Know
Madrid – Each year, approximately 1,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in children aged 0 to 14 in Spain. This number rises to 1,500 when including adolescents (0-18). Despite these diagnoses, the average survival rate for childhood cancer is 84%. However, cancer in children differs significantly from cancer in adults in terms of causes, behavior, and presentation, often making early detection challenging.
Understanding Childhood Cancer
On International Childhood Cancer Day, February 15th, the President of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP), Dr. Adela Cañete, discussed current understanding of potential causes of cancer in children, warning signs for families – such as leucocoria (a white pupil) or unexplained persistent pain – and potential long-term consequences for survivors.
According to the Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumors (RETI-SEHOP), the most common types of cancer in children include leukemias, lymphomas, tumors of the central nervous system (SNC), neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor), bone sarcomas, and retinoblastoma, with the latter often appearing in children under two years old.
Key Differences: Childhood vs. Adult Cancer
Dr. Cañete emphasizes that cancer in children and adults is not the same. “In adult cancer, there’s a better understanding of the causes, which are often linked to aging and exposure to toxins. In children, we’re dealing with tumors of embryonic origin, like neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, or hepatoblastoma. This doesn’t mean the child is born with a tumor or inherits it from parents, but rather that a group of cells lost control during development, creating the neoplasm.”
Dr. Cañete, who is also the Scientific Director of the Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumors (RETI-SEHOP), explains that for a cell to become altered, two significant “hits” are usually required: an initial alteration that disrupts regulatory mechanisms, and an acceleration of this abnormal behavior potentially triggered by drug exposure or viral causes.
She highlights that genetic factors tend to play a more significant role in childhood cancer than environmental factors, although the latter are also being actively investigated.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Currently, unlike in adults, screening programs for cancer are not feasible in children. Dr. Cañete notes, “Children often present with non-specific symptoms that can be mistaken for common illnesses. Early detection is crucial, and requires strong training for pediatricians in both primary and hospital settings.”
Key warning signs include “things that don’t add up,” such as unusual back pain, headaches that don’t follow a typical pattern, or fever accompanied by swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms are common in pediatric medicine, but can sometimes signal the need to rule out cancer, according to the SEHOP president.
Families play a vital role in recognizing a specific symptom: “Leucocoria, or seeing a white pupil instead of a black one, often visible in flash photography, is a sign of retinoblastoma, an eye tumor.”
Concerns are particularly high for adolescents, as their symptoms can be “insidious,” such as back pain attributed to posture, or a lump they may be embarrassed to report.
Potential Long-Term Effects
A significant concern for healthcare professionals and families are the potential long-term repercussions of childhood cancer on a child’s development, including physical, cognitive, and emotional sequelae.
Dr. Cañete estimates that approximately 50-75% of childhood cancer survivors may experience significant long-term sequelae affecting the musculoskeletal system, fertility, neurocognitive function, or endocrine system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common types of cancer in children?
The most common types of cancer in children are leukemias, lymphomas, tumors of the central nervous system (SNC), neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma or Wilms tumor, bone sarcomas, and retinoblastoma.
Is childhood cancer the same as adult cancer?
No, childhood cancer differs from adult cancer in its causes and behavior. Adult cancers are often linked to aging and toxin exposure, while childhood cancers are often tumors of embryonic origin.
What should families look out for as potential signs of childhood cancer?
Families should be alert to symptoms like unexplained persistent pain, unusual headaches, fever with swollen lymph nodes, and leucocoria (a white pupil in the eye).
Considering the challenges of early detection and the potential long-term effects, what steps can communities take to better support families navigating a childhood cancer diagnosis?