Hope for kids with cancer
One of the most heartbreaking situations for parents is watching their child struggle with cancer.
A International childhood cancer survey (compiled in 1995) found that the most common childhood cancers are leukaemia, tumors of the brain and spinal cord, lymphoma, neuroblastoma ( cancer of the nerve tissue), gonadal and germ cell tumors (cancer of the sex organs), kidney tumors, soft tissue sarcomas and retinoblastomas ( cancer of the retina).
As with adult cancers, early detection and correct diagnosis are the best ways to improve a child’s chances of cure and survival. “Cancer cells are very clever,” says Dr Amy Goleta-Dy, an oncologist at ST luke’s Medical Center in the Philippines. “They can develop resistance to all the drugs being given, so getting it right the first time is important.”
The causes of childhood cancers are still largely unknown, but a small percentage are related to congenital conditions, eg, Down syndrome, specific chromosomal or genetic mutations and exposure to radiation. Scientists also suspect environmental toxins, such as pesticides and chemicals.
Conventional cures
Current treatments for childhood cancers depend on the type of cancer, its size, location, extent of spread and the child’s overall health.
There’s the 3 common treatments as shown below:
Chemotherapy
Uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs are given through a vein (intravenous), by mouth or into the spinal fluid (intrathecal). Common side-effects include fatigue, infection, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Surgery
Which is almost of no use in treating leukaemia or lymphoma, is done on solid tumors. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor or cancerous growth.
Radiation
Uses high-energy roys or particles to kill cancer cells. The most common is external beam radiation therapy from a machine outside the body. Side -effects include mild skin reactions, diarrhoea and fatigue.
New treatments
Proton therapy
a new and specialized kind of radiation therapy, uses a machine that is aimed at the tumor. A proton (component of an atom) is designed that is specific to the cancer. This treatment is best for brain tumors because the beam can be directed at the tumor without affecting normal brain tissue. It requires special equipment and facilities.
Stem cell transplant
The latest treatment for acute lymphocytic leukaemia, which comprises 70% of leukaemias in children, classifies patients’ risk based on various tests, according to Dr Allan Racho, a haematologist at St Luke’s Medical Center. Good-risk patients get less intensive chemotherapy, while high-risk patients get more intensive chemotherapy or a stem cell transplant. Transplants may involve bone marrow from a compatible sibling or cord blood from a compatible donor. Patients who receive this treatment are prone to infection, bleeding, anaemia or hair loss.
Aerosol chemotherapy
It is still in its early trials. Conceptualised by Dr Eugenie Kleinerman of MD Anderson Cancer Center (Texas), this treatment can be done at home. It adminsters chemotherapy directly to lung tumors and has the advantage of being able to deliver higher concentrations of the drug compared to IV therapy. Liquid medicine in small machines generates a mist that the child breathes for about 5-15 minutes. Dr Dy says children and parents prefer this chemotherapy method. It is safe, but its effectiveness is still in question.
Post-treatment
Treatment can save child’s life, but may also damage the young organs. Almost 2/3 of child cancer survivors report at least one chronic health problem, eg, a second cancer. kidney disease, endocrine abnormalities or cardiovascular disease. The risk of developing a problem related to cancer treatment increases over time. Child cancer survivors need long-term follow-up and tremendous support from family and loved ones.
