Basic information about childhood cancer
The organs and tissues of the body are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Cancer is a disease of these cells. Normally cells grow in an orderly and controlled fashion. Cancer begins when a particular cell or group of cells in the body begin to multiply and grow without control. Oncology is the study of these cells. The cancerous cells stop working properly and as their numbers increase, they form a lump or tumour.
Eventually, the normal cells will be crowded out and the cancerous cells, if not treated, will take over. When cancer cells break away and spread to other parts of the body, they may produce secondary tumours known as metastases. Depending on the type of cancer, these cells can spread to the lungs, liver, bones, bone marrow and very rarely the brain.
Sometimes the cancer will affect the blood cells, causing Leukaemia; other cancerous cells form tumours. When these tumours form in bone or muscles, they are known as sarcomas. Cancers that affect the lymphoid organs such as the lymph nodes, spleen and thymus are known as lymphomas. Carcinomas are rare in children. Most tumours in children are malignant or “cancerous”. Very rarely benign or “non-cancerous” tumours occur in children. However, these may cause harm by pressing on the tissues next to them. Childhood cancers are quite different from cancers affecting adults. They tend to occur in the organs of the body, look different under the microscope and respond differently to treatment (more favourably). Cure rates for most childhood cancers are much higher than those for most adult cancers.
Source: WHO Childhood Cancer Facts.
Childhood cancers usually occur in organs, because they mimic the dividing (primitive) cells of early foetal development. This rapid cell division means that childhood cancer responds well to treatment. Carcinomas are rare in children as they take many years to develop and are more evident in adults.
The real causes for childhood cancer are unknown. The interaction between environmental factors and host genetics could make one more susceptible to getting cancer. Less than 5% are inherited. Certain inherited genetic syndromes (e.g. Down Syndrome, Fanconi Anaemia, Klinefelter, Li Fraumeni, Wiskott-Aldrich, Beckworth-Wiedemann, etc.) have an increased risk of cancer.
Childhood cancer is not infectious nor contagious. Most childhood cancer is due to spontaneous mistakes or mutations in the genetic code of cells which allows the cell to multiply unchecked and out of control of the body.
Source: What is the Difference Between Cancer in Adults and Cancer in Children?
Every year about 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer globally. Cancer is now one of the leading causes of disease-related death in children and adolescents worldwide, especially in high-income countries where infectious diseases have declined dramatically.
Despite being relatively rare in high-income countries, childhood cancer is the second most common cause of death after accidents in children aged 5 to 14 years old.
57% found this helpful
Related Articles
Educating your community of family and friends
Sharing a child’s cancer journey with one’s community can raise awareness, build understanding, and gather emotional or practical support. However, it is equally important to do so in a way that protects the child’s privacy and the family’s emotional wellbeing.
Message from parents to parents
Hearing that your child has cancer is one of the most overwhelming experiences a parent can face. It often triggers a series of emotional and psychological reactions, commonly described in phases like the stages of grief, though each parent may experience them differently.
What are the hinderances to childhood cancer treatment?
The path to treatment is not always straightforward. For many families, there are barriers along the way — and recognising them in your own context is a powerful place to start.