Paediatric Oncology

Common Cancers that affect Children

• Osteosarcoma - It is a type of bone cancer marked by the abnormal growth of osteoblast. Osteosarcoma is usually seen in children and teens, with the incidence being higher in boys. It is quite uncommon in kids who are under 5 years old. The cancer generally affects the ends of the long bones in the body, such as the thigh bone or shin bone.
• Brain Cancers - It is marked by the development of a malignant mass or tumour in any part of the childs brain. These are usually aggressive and can invade the nearby cells and tissues, resulting in debilitating or life-threatening complications. Brain and spinal cord tumours, together, and 2nd on the list of the most common cancers affecting kids and roughly account for 1 out of 4 childhood cancers.
• Leukemia - It is the most common cancer seen in children and is marked by the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells in the child’s body. The cancer cells can metastasize to distant organs and tissues resulting in the development of secondary cancer. The most common types of leukaemia seen in children include chronic myelogenous leukaemia and juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia.
• Hepatoblastoma - It is the most common type of liver cancer seen in kids, especially those below 3 years of age. The cancer does not usually metastasize and has been linked to certain genetic conditions like Aicardi syndrome and glycogen storage disease. Children who are born preterm or have a low birth weight also tend to fall in the high-risk category.
• Lymphoma - It is the cancer of the lymphatic system and has been listed as the 3rd most common cancer affecting kids. It is marked by the uncontrolled multiplication of lymphocytes that overcrowd the healthy blood cells. Lymphoma is broadly classified into two different types - Hodgkins lymphoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma
• Neuroblastoma - It is a type of cancer that involves the nerve cells and tissues. It usually affects children below 5 years of age and is quite rare in those above 10 years. These are generally aggressive and can metastasize at a very fast pace, spreading to other parts of the body, including the lungs, bones, CNS and bone marrow.

When should you consider seeing our experts?

• An evident lump or swelling in any part of the body
• Paleness and fatigue
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Persistent pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Problems with vision
• Frequent headaches
• Fever that doesn't go away

How is Cancer diagnosed in children?

If your little one is presenting with any unusual signs that may be linked to cancer, our experts, at Surya Hospital may recommend several tests based on physical examination, the type of cancer that they suspect, the symptoms experienced by the child and his/her medical history.

Common diagnostic tests include:

• Blood tests
• Biopsy of tissue sample
• Bone marrow aspiration
• Spinal tap
• Imaging tests like ultrasound, CT scan and MRI

Treatments

At Surya Hospital, we follow a comprehensive strategy and personalized approach to treating your little ones. The state-of-the-art treatment modalities that we specialize in, include:

• Surgical intervention for removing the tumour and diseased tissue
• Chemotherapy, that uses a special combination of drugs to destroy cancer cells
• Immunotherapy, that uses medicines to boost the immune response against cancer
• Radiation therapy, for targeting cancer cells using high-intensity radiation
• Bone marrow transplant for replacing diseased or depleted bone marrow