Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most recommended treatments for cancer of all types. When used in children, the results are even more effective, since children’s cells are still immature, highly sensitive, and respond more quickly and efficiently to the medications administered.

Unfortunately, we are faced every day with more reports of people being diagnosed with cancer. An aggressive disease that accelerates cell growth and can lead to death. Although we know of many cases of cure—which is now possible thanks to medical advances—some types of cancer are still more aggressive and do not respond positively to many treatments.

Cancer in Children

When cancer affects children, it is even harder for us to accept this diagnosis, especially since the symptoms can be very complex after some treatments and because of the risk of death. But we cannot be discouraged by this disease. We must face it head-on and seek support from modern medical resources and increasingly effective treatments.

More than 100 types of cancer have already been mapped and affect various organs of the body. As with most diseases, the faster the diagnosis and the earlier the treatment begins, the greater the chances of positive outcomes, and even a cure.

Some types of cancer are more common in children, such as leukemia, central nervous system tumors, and lymphomas. For all of these, chemotherapy is the recommended treatment.

What is Oncology?

Oncology is the term used to refer to the branch of medicine that deals with tumors and cancer. The origin of the word comes from the Greek “onkos” meaning mass (volume) plus “logy” meaning study, thus forming the name Oncology: study of tumors.

It is oncology that studies all forms of cancer, their development, causes, and the most effective treatments. It is a very complex field, since cancer encompasses more than 100 diseases that have aggressive impacts on the body, often leading to death.

The professional in this area is the oncologist, a doctor specialized in treating cancer. This is the medical professional prepared for precise diagnosis, to order the necessary tests for analysis, and, of course, to indicate the appropriate systemic treatment for each type of cancer, as well as the most suitable chemotherapy type.

Because cancer can affect any part of the body, the oncologist always relies on the support of specialists from various fields such as pediatricians, physical therapists, nutritionists, surgeons, and many others who are equally important during treatment.

Oncological Treatment

The main goal of oncological treatment is a cure. Oncologists treat each person’s cancer individually, taking into account the state of each patient and selecting what they believe to be the most effective treatment to achieve a definitive cure.

Unfortunately, we know that in some cases, a cure is not possible. In these situations, oncology treatment aims for disease remission, so the patient can live as long as possible and with the best quality of life. In the last instance, when remission is unlikely, the focus will be on disease control and symptom management.

Most Common Types of Childhood Cancer

Although there are countless types of cancer that can affect any part of the body, all of them result from the uncontrolled growth of certain cells. This is also known as neoplasia. Cancer can affect women, men, and children, though some types of neoplasia are more likely in each group.

Here are the most common types of cancer in children:

  • Leukemias (33%)
  • Central nervous system tumors (20%)
  • Lymphomas (12%)
  • Neuroblastoma (8%)
  • Wilms tumor, of the kidneys (6%)
  • Soft tissue tumors (6%)
  • Bone tumors (5%)
  • Retinoblastoma, of the eyes (3%)

The most common type of childhood cancer is leukemia, which occurs in the bone marrow (the inside of the bones) where blood is also produced. The disease is diagnosed through an analysis (myelogram) of this blood from inside the bone and is classified into four types: Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), or Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia (CLL), which only occurs in adults.

Treatment of Leukemia

Children with leukemia usually experience symptoms such as: bone or joint pain, purplish spots on the body, bleeding, paleness, depression, fatigue, and fever. The most effective treatment for leukemia is chemotherapy, which has cure rates of up to 80% of cases. Radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation are also commonly used in the treatment of this type of neoplasia.

Chemotherapy in Children

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to prevent cells from reproducing or growing uncontrollably. While it is very effective in treating many types of cancer, the drugs affect all cells—they do not distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells—which causes undesirable side effects during treatment.

The type of side effects depends heavily on the drugs used in the chemotherapy sessions, but the most common are: loss of appetite, low immunity, vomiting, hair loss, bleeding, and fatigue.

Being aware of these symptoms before treatment begins helps parents to organize the necessary care and also gives them a chance to talk to their child to prepare them psychologically to face these symptoms.
Even with all the discomfort caused by side effects, chemotherapy is especially effective in children. Because their cells are still immature, they are more sensitive to the effects of the medication.

Types of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intracranially, or topically, depending on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease. The most well-known type of chemotherapy is antineoplastic, which targets cancer cells.

The medication used in chemotherapy sessions differs for each type of cancer. When a single medication is used, it is called monochemotherapy. When a combination of drugs is used, it is called polychemotherapy.

Below are some types of chemotherapy:

Curative: Aims to eliminate cancer using this treatment alone

Adjuvant: To eliminate cancer cells that persist after surgical treatment

Neoadjuvant (preliminary): Aims to reduce the tumor before radiotherapy or surgery

Palliative: Seeks only to improve the quality of life for patients who have no chance of a cure

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is also very important in treating cancer in both children and adults. It is a technique that uses ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells. This radiation damages the genetic material of the diseased cell, preventing it from reproducing or growing.

For each type of cancer, the number of sessions, the intensity and type of radiation, and the exposure time are determined. It can be indicated as the only treatment or combined with chemotherapy and surgery.

Regardless of the treatment—chemotherapy or radiotherapy—it is important to prepare to understand each stage of the process, to accept the arduous challenges that cancer patients face, and to always strive for cure and quality of life!

See also: Cancer in Pregnancy – Questions, Risks and Treatment
Photos: Bill Brason, EternamenteAprendiz