September is Childhood Cancers Awareness Month

Childhood cancers are a group of diseases that affect children and adolescents. They can occur in various body parts and manifest in different ways.

Common Types of Childhood Cancers:

1. Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common childhood cancer.
2. Neuroblastoma: Neuroblastoma is a cancer that forms in nerve tissue and typically starts in the adrenal glands. It’s most common in infants and young children.
3. Wilms Tumor: Wilms tumor is a type of kidney cancer primarily affecting young children. It often presents as a lump or swelling in the abdomen.
4. Lymphoma: Lymphomas are cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in children.
5. Rhabdomyosarcoma: This cancer forms in the soft tissues, such as muscles, and is more common in younger children.
6. Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is bone cancer primarily affecting teenagers and young adults.
7. Retinoblastoma: This cancer starts in the eye’s retina and typically occurs in children under 5.

Treatment Options:

The treatment of childhood cancers varies depending on the type and stage of cancer. Standard treatment options include Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Stem Cell Transplantation.

If your pediatrician suspects a childhood cancer, they will refer you to a pediatric oncologist. For more information and support, visit the American Childhood Cancer Organization website.