Childhood Cancer: A Brief Overview
Cancer starts off on cellular level, when there are growth abnormalities, when these anomalies grow out of control and start taking up space in the body, they become clumps called tumors. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and they can either get malignant or become benign, cancerous tumors are the ones that become malignant. Children are the least affected with the cancer, in fact, of the total cases, only less than 2% patients are children, one out of every six adults will get some form of cancer in the course of their adult life.
Cancer and children
Cancer in children can start at any place, even in the blood and lymphatic system. Childhood cancer is an umbrella term that is used to describe any cancer that affects children under 15 years of age. Also called pediatric cancer, it is used to denote both malignant and benign tumors in kids.
Types of childhood cancer
There are a number of different types of cancers that affect children, the major types are :
Leukemia: It is the most common form of cancer for children, accounting for almost 31% of all cases. Leukemia is also called blood cancer as it affects the blood producing bone marrow and cuts off the production healthy blood cells. They normally do not form any noticeable tumor and stick to the marrow and affects the quality of blood by reducing the potency of the RBCs, WBCs and platelets.
Brain and CNS Cancer: The second most common type among children, it accounts for 21% of cancer incidence. Brain tumors as they are called are usually contained well within the Central Nervous System, but they are more deadly, even if they are benign, this is because all of the tumors take up space and there is literally no wiggle space in the brain and spine compartments. The effects can be drastic and behavioral as well as physical changes can be readily seen and experienced.
Other types: Most other types account for less than 5% each and are relatively rare.
Prevalence
Childhood cancers are a lot rarer than adult cancer, but a little over 10,300 new cases are expected this year. When diagnosed early on, it is said that over 80% of the children with cancer will survive over five years. A little over 1,000 children are expected to die of cancer this year, the second leading cause for child deaths after accidents.
Cancer starts off on cellular level, when there are growth abnormalities, when these anomalies grow out of control and start taking up space in the body, they become clumps called tumors. Tumors can develop in any part of the body and they can either get malignant or become benign, cancerous tumors are the ones that become malignant. Children are the least affected with the cancer, in fact, of the total cases, only less than 2% patients are children, one out of every six adults will get some form of cancer in the course of their adult life.
Cancer and children
Cancer in children can start at any place, even in the blood and lymphatic system. Childhood cancer is an umbrella term that is used to describe any cancer that affects children under 15 years of age. Also called pediatric cancer, it is used to denote both malignant and benign tumors in kids.
Types of childhood cancer
There are a number of different types of cancers that affect children, the major types are :
Leukemia: It is the most common form of cancer for children, accounting for almost 31% of all cases. Leukemia is also called blood cancer as it affects the blood producing bone marrow and cuts off the production healthy blood cells. They normally do not form any noticeable tumor and stick to the marrow and affects the quality of blood by reducing the potency of the RBCs, WBCs and platelets.
Brain and CNS Cancer: The second most common type among children, it accounts for 21% of cancer incidence. Brain tumors as they are called are usually contained well within the Central Nervous System, but they are more deadly, even if they are benign, this is because all of the tumors take up space and there is literally no wiggle space in the brain and spine compartments. The effects can be drastic and behavioral as well as physical changes can be readily seen and experienced.
Other types: Most other types account for less than 5% each and are relatively rare.
Prevalence
Childhood cancers are a lot rarer than adult cancer, but a little over 10,300 new cases are expected this year. When diagnosed early on, it is said that over 80% of the children with cancer will survive over five years. A little over 1,000 children are expected to die of cancer this year, the second leading cause for child deaths after accidents.