Warning Signs for Childhood Cancers

Although age is often a risk factor in the development of cancer, people of all ages, including children, can get the disease. The cancers that develop in children are different from those that occur in adults. Unlike cancer in adults, lifestyle or environmental risk factors do not play a role in pediatric cancer. Typically, changes in DNA that occur early in life contribute to childhood cancers.

The Cleveland Clinic says childhood cancers are uncommon. Despite being a relative rarity, such cancers can be cured with treatment. In fact, more than 80 percent of children and teenagers with cancer were alive five years after diagnosis. Unfortunately, childhood cancers can sometimes be hard to distinguish because common bruises and illnesses can mask early warning signs. Here are the top cancers found in children and potential warning signs for these diseases.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).

About 34% of all cancers in children and occur between the ages of two and four. Symptoms of all of these cancers can include bone and joint pain, fatigue, weakness, bleeding, fever, and weight loss.

Neuroblastoma.

Immature nerve cells in infants and young children can lead to neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma starts in the adrenal glands and affects children under age five. Common symptoms include impaired walking ability, changes in eyes, pain in various parts of the body, diarrhea, and high blood pressure.

Lymphoma.

Lymphomas are cancers in a child’s lymphatic system, says the Cleveland Clinic. The two classes of lymphomas are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphomas are the most common cancers diagnosed in teenagers, although they can also affect younger children. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common in teenagers than in younger children. Symptoms of lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin; weight loss; fever; sweats; and weakness.

Wills Tumor.

Wills Tumor occurs in the kidneys, typically only in one kidney, and accounts for about 5% of all pediatric cancers. Symptoms can include swelling or a lump in the abdomen, fever, pain, nausea, or poor appetite.

Additional Side Effects.

The Childhood Oncology Group uses the acronym CHILDCANCER to list all of the potential childhood cancer symptoms as follows:
C – Continued unexplained weight loss;
H – Headaches;
I – Increased swelling or persistent pain;
L – Lump or mass, especially in a child’s belly, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits;
D – Development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash;
C – Constant, frequent, or persistent infections;
A – A whitish color behind the pupil of a child’s eye;
N – Nausea that persists, or vomiting without having nausea;
C – Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness;
E – Eye or vision changes that occur suddenly and persist;
R – Recurring or persistent fevers of unknown origin, meaning your child has a fever that’s not associated with the flu or other common illnesses.