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Pediatric Cancers
What is Pediatric Cancers?
Cancer that occurs in children, usually below the age of 15, is called pediatric cancer. Childhood cancers are biologically different from adult cancers and consist of forms such as leukemia, brain tumors, and lymphoma. The distinction between diagnosis and treatment enhances survival.
Pediatric Cancers Types
Leukemia
•The most common childhood cancer, leukemia is a disease of the blood and bone marrow that causes fatigue, bruising, and infection. The most common form is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with aggressive chemotherapy administered over a long course of treatment.
Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors
•These are gliomas, medulloblastomas, and ependymomas. Symptoms range from headaches and nausea to impaired vision and coordination issues. The treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy depending on the type of tumor and where it is situated.
Neuroblastoma
•An abnormal tumor that develops in immature nerve cells, most often in the adrenal glands. Most frequently occurs in infants and children under five years of age. Symptoms are distension of the abdomen, tenderness in the bones, or fatigue. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes stem cell transplant.
Wilms Tumor
•A kidney cancer which occurs mainly in children younger than age 5. It can produce a swollen abdomen, blood in the urine, or pain. It has a good prognosis and is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and occasionally radiation treatment.
Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
•These cancers affect the lymph system, often as swollen lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, or sweats at night. Hodgkin lymphoma is more stable and follows an earlier slope, while Non-Hodgkin is more aggressive and follows a sharper slope. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation can be employed.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
•A sarcoma of soft tissues that develops in muscles or in connective tissues, often in the head, neck, or genitourinary system. It is locally aggressive and requires aggressive treatment in the form of surgical resection, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation for local control.
Osteosarcoma
•The most common bone cancer in children, typically of long bones like arms or legs. Symptoms include pain, swelling, or fracture. Treatment is chemotherapy and surgery, typically limb-sparing but sometimes involving amputation.
Ewing Sarcoma
•A rare cancer of the bones or soft tissue that typically occurs in the pelvis, ribs, or long bones. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and occasionally fever. The therapy is aggressive and includes chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Pediatric Cancer Symptoms
- •Unusual tiredness or weakness that doesn't improve with rest, making children too exhausted to participate in normal activities.
What’s Notable
Childhood cancers are generally non preventable and are quite different from adult cancers in terms of behavior and treatment.
Children respond to chemotherapy more favorably than adults because cell turnover is faster.
Early detection and proximity to pediatric cancer centers improve survival by a great deal.
When to Seek Help
Seek immediate medical help for persistent fever, unexplained tiredness, unusual bruising or bleeding, painless lumps, morning headaches with vomiting, sudden weight loss, bone pain, or behavioral changes in children
Pediatric Cancers Causes & Risk Factors
Inherited Genetic Mutations
(e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome)Children with some inherited gene mutations are at higher risk of developing certain cancers because of defective tumor-suppressor genes.
Family History of Pediatric or Early-Onset Cancers
A young relative with cancer could be a sign of hereditary cancer syndrome that raises the risk of cancer in a child.
Radiation Exposure from Past Treatments or Environment
Previous exposure to therapeutic radiation or environmental sources such as nuclear accidents could increase the risk of developing cancer in children.
Certain Infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr Virus)
Viral infections such as EBV have been associated with cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma in children.
Immune System Disorders
Congenital or acquired immune deficiencies in children could make them less capable of recognizing and eliminating abnormal cells, thus promoting development of cancer.
Pediatric Cancers Diagnosis
Initial Symptoms & Check-up
Step 1: Initial Check-Up
(If you notice concerning symptoms in your child)
What happens: Your pediatrician will:
- Examine your child for unusual lumps, swelling, or abnormalities
- Check for signs like persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue
- Review family medical history and discuss symptoms
- Assess lymph nodes, abdomen, and general appearance
Your role: Share any changes you've noticed openly about your child's health, behavior, or energy levels
Pediatric Cancers Treatment & Therapy
Chemotherapy
What it does:
Kills growing cancer cells throughout the body.
Treated for:
Leukemia, lymphomas, sarcomas.
Recovery:
Administered in cycles; can lead to tiredness, nausea, and infections.
Targeted Therapy
What it does :
Blocks specific mutations (e.g., BRCA, KRAS) to stop tumor growth.
Treated for:
Genetically mutated tumors (e.g., ALK in neuroblastoma).
Recovery:
Tailored and tends to have fewer side effects.
Immunotherapy
What it does:
Activation of immune cells to target and kill cancer.
Used for:
Recurrent leukemia, lymphomas.
Recovery:
Close follow-up necessary for immune reaction and side effects.
Management & Prevention
Long-Term Follow-Up
•Routine check-ups to monitor growth, development, and potential late effects of treatment.
Rehabilitation Services
•Physical, occupational, and speech therapy support recovery and enhance function.
Nutritional Care
•Specialized diets help meet developmental needs and manage treatment side effects.
Pediatric Cancers Types
Leukemia
•The most common childhood cancer, leukemia is a disease of the blood and bone marrow that causes fatigue, bruising, and infection. The most common form is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with aggressive chemotherapy administered over a long course of treatment.
Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors
•These are gliomas, medulloblastomas, and ependymomas. Symptoms range from headaches and nausea to impaired vision and coordination issues. The treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy depending on the type of tumor and where it is situated.
Neuroblastoma
•An abnormal tumor that develops in immature nerve cells, most often in the adrenal glands. Most frequently occurs in infants and children under five years of age. Symptoms are distension of the abdomen, tenderness in the bones, or fatigue. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes stem cell transplant.
Wilms Tumor
•A kidney cancer which occurs mainly in children younger than age 5. It can produce a swollen abdomen, blood in the urine, or pain. It has a good prognosis and is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and occasionally radiation treatment.
Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
•These cancers affect the lymph system, often as swollen lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, or sweats at night. Hodgkin lymphoma is more stable and follows an earlier slope, while Non-Hodgkin is more aggressive and follows a sharper slope. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation can be employed.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
•A sarcoma of soft tissues that develops in muscles or in connective tissues, often in the head, neck, or genitourinary system. It is locally aggressive and requires aggressive treatment in the form of surgical resection, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation for local control.
Osteosarcoma
•The most common bone cancer in children, typically of long bones like arms or legs. Symptoms include pain, swelling, or fracture. Treatment is chemotherapy and surgery, typically limb-sparing but sometimes involving amputation.
Ewing Sarcoma
•A rare cancer of the bones or soft tissue that typically occurs in the pelvis, ribs, or long bones. It is characterized by pain, swelling, and occasionally fever. The therapy is aggressive and includes chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
Pediatric Cancer Symptoms
- •Unusual tiredness or weakness that doesn't improve with rest, making children too exhausted to participate in normal activities.
What’s Notable
Childhood cancers are generally non preventable and are quite different from adult cancers in terms of behavior and treatment.
Children respond to chemotherapy more favorably than adults because cell turnover is faster.
Early detection and proximity to pediatric cancer centers improve survival by a great deal.
When to Seek Help
Seek immediate medical help for persistent fever, unexplained tiredness, unusual bruising or bleeding, painless lumps, morning headaches with vomiting, sudden weight loss, bone pain, or behavioral changes in children
Pediatric Cancers Causes & Risk Factors
Inherited Genetic Mutations
(e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome)Children with some inherited gene mutations are at higher risk of developing certain cancers because of defective tumor-suppressor genes.
Family History of Pediatric or Early-Onset Cancers
A young relative with cancer could be a sign of hereditary cancer syndrome that raises the risk of cancer in a child.
Radiation Exposure from Past Treatments or Environment
Previous exposure to therapeutic radiation or environmental sources such as nuclear accidents could increase the risk of developing cancer in children.
Certain Infections (e.g., Epstein-Barr Virus)
Viral infections such as EBV have been associated with cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma in children.
Immune System Disorders
Congenital or acquired immune deficiencies in children could make them less capable of recognizing and eliminating abnormal cells, thus promoting development of cancer.
Pediatric Cancers Diagnosis
Initial Symptoms & Check-up
Step 1: Initial Check-Up
(If you notice concerning symptoms in your child)
What happens: Your pediatrician will:
- Examine your child for unusual lumps, swelling, or abnormalities
- Check for signs like persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue
- Review family medical history and discuss symptoms
- Assess lymph nodes, abdomen, and general appearance
Your role: Share any changes you've noticed openly about your child's health, behavior, or energy levels
Pediatric Cancers Treatment & Therapy
Chemotherapy
What it does:
Kills growing cancer cells throughout the body.
Treated for:
Leukemia, lymphomas, sarcomas.
Recovery:
Administered in cycles; can lead to tiredness, nausea, and infections.
Targeted Therapy
What it does :
Blocks specific mutations (e.g., BRCA, KRAS) to stop tumor growth.
Treated for:
Genetically mutated tumors (e.g., ALK in neuroblastoma).
Recovery:
Tailored and tends to have fewer side effects.
Immunotherapy
What it does:
Activation of immune cells to target and kill cancer.
Used for:
Recurrent leukemia, lymphomas.
Recovery:
Close follow-up necessary for immune reaction and side effects.
Management & Prevention
Long-Term Follow-Up
•Routine check-ups to monitor growth, development, and potential late effects of treatment.
Rehabilitation Services
•Physical, occupational, and speech therapy support recovery and enhance function.
Nutritional Care
•Specialized diets help meet developmental needs and manage treatment side effects.
Why Choose Everhope For Pediatric Cancer?
PAt Everhope, our experts support your proactive care with advanced treatment — guiding you with knowledge, hope, and healing.
400K
new cases are diagnosed globally every year
9th
leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
100K+
deaths globally annually
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FAQs on Pediatric Cancer
No question is too small when it comes to your care
Early warning signs include persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, unusual tiredness, frequent bruising or bleeding, lumps or swelling, bone pain, morning headaches with vomiting, and changes in vision or behavior. Most symptoms have non-cancer causes, but persistent symptoms need medical evaluation
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