Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer refers to all types of cancer suffered by children up to age 14.

It is estimated that over 160,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer every year and this figure could be considerably higher. Data on the incidence of childhood cancer in developed countries are mostly inaccurate. We need more population-based cancer registries to determine the actual number of children with cancer.

80% of child cancer patients live in developing countries, and this proportion will grow as the elimination of infectious diseases.

In developed countries, three in four children with cancer survive at least five years after diagnosis. In developing countries, more than half of children diagnosed with cancer is likely to die. Late detection and limited access to effective cancer therapies often result in only a small percentage of patients to receive necessary medical treatment to save his life.

Common types of childhood cancer: Leukemia, Lymphomas, Central nervous system tumors, Retinoblastoma, Kidney Cancer, Bone tumors, Soft tissue sarcomas.

Childhood cancers symptoms: (1) Abnormal abdominal mass or swelling. (2) Prolonged fever, unexplained. (3) Pallor, loss of energy and rapid weight loss. (4) Persistent headaches, unexplained, often with vomiting. (5) Easy bruising and bleeding for no apparent reason. (6) Loss of balance and sudden change in behavior. (7) Swollen head. (8) White glow in the eye.