Pediatric oncology is a branch of medicine that diagnoses, treats, and manages child cancer types such as leukemia, neuroblastoma, or Wilms tumor.
Pediatric oncology is a branch of medicine that diagnoses, treats, and manages child cancer types. A pediatric oncology doctor addresses the unique challenges and types of cancer affecting younger populations. In addition, pediatric cancer doctors have special training, and they can navigate these challenges, aiming to not only combat pediatric cancer but also minimize the impact of treatment on children’s growing bodies.
Pediatric oncology deals with childhood cancers. There are several childhood cancers; each has unique symptoms and challenges. Even though the leading cause of the cancer types that develop in children is difficult to indicate, the symptoms of the cancers are clear. Some of the cancer types that a paediatric oncologist takes care of are shared below:
Leukemia is a cancer type affecting the blood and bone marrow that leads to the production of abnormal white blood cells. These cells crowd out normal blood cells, which impairs your child’s body’s ability to fight infection, carry oxygen, and control bleeding. Leukemia, which is one of the most common childhood cancers, has several types, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Children with leukemia may experience fatigue, fever, frequent infections, bruising or bleeding easily, bone or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and pale skin.
Pediatric hematology oncology departments perform several tests to diagnose leukemia. These tests are physical exams, blood tests, bone marrow aspiration, or biopsy. The blood tests can reveal abnormal levels of white blood cells or anemic conditions, while the bone marrow test confirms the presence of leukemia cells. Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be used to check for the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
Brain and spinal cord tumors in children are conditions that the pediatric neuro oncology department diagnoses, treats, and manages. In this childrens cancer type, abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the brain or spinal cord. These tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors may include headaches, nausea, vomiting (especially in the morning), balance or coordination problems, difficulty walking, seizures, and changes in personality or behavior. Symptoms often result from increased pressure within the skull or direct effects on brain function.
The pediatric oncology department can diagnose this tumor type with neurological exams to assess brain function, imaging tests like CT or MRI, or a biopsy. Full-fledged pediatric oncology hospitals can perform all necessary tests.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that arises from immature nerve cells in the adrenal glands, neck, chest, or spinal cord. It most commonly affects children under the age of 5 and can spread rapidly. Neuroblastoma can vary significantly in behavior, from being benign and spontaneously regressing to being aggressive and spreading to other parts of the body.
Neuroblastoma has common symptoms such as abdominal pain, lumps in the abdomen or neck, unexplained weight loss, fever, and bone pain. The symptoms often depend on the location of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread.
Hospitals that have pediatric oncology diagnose neuroblastoma with urine and blood tests, imaging tests (like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans), and a biopsy of the tumor. Bone marrow samples may also be taken to check for the spread of cancer cells.
Wilms tumor, or nephroblastoma, is a kidney cancer that primarily affects children. It is the most common type of kidney cancer in children taken care of by the pediatric hematology and oncology departments. This cancer type usually occurs in just one kidney, though it can be found in both in rare cases.
The symptoms of Wilms tumor are noticeable abdominal swelling or lumps, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, and blood in the urine. These signs may appear suddenly and can be mistaken for other common childhood illnesses.
Hematology oncology pediatrics can diagnose the tumor with abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI to visualize the tumor, followed by a surgical biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Your pediatric oncologist may also include blood and urine tests to evaluate your child’s overall health and kidney function.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. It is categorized as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with the latter being more common in children.
Common symptoms of lymphoma include swollen but painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin; fever; night sweats; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; and increased susceptibility to infections. The pediatric hematology/oncology department diagnoses this cancer type with a physical examination, blood tests, imaging tests such as PET or CT scans, and bone marrow biopsies.
Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that primarily affects young children, often under the age of 5. It starts in the retina, the light-sensitive lining inside the eye, and can affect one or both eyes. The most common symptom is a noticeable whiteness in the pupil when light is shone into the eye, known as "cat's eye reflex." Other symptoms may include vision problems, a red and irritated eye, and a cross-eyed appearance. Your oncology clinic diagnoses the cancer through an examination of the eye, ultrasound, or MRI.
Bone cancer in children is primarily represented by osteosarcoma and ewing sarcoma. Osteosarcoma typically affects the long bones, such as those in the leg or arm, while ewing sarcoma can occur in any bone, often affecting the pelvis, thigh, and chest wall.
Common symptoms of bone cancer are pain in the affected bone, which may worsen at night or with activity, swelling and tenderness near the affected area, and, occasionally, a noticeable lump. Based on the symptoms, pediatric oncologists at your clinic can perform X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, biopsy tests, or blood tests to diagnose the cancer.
The pediatric oncology department will create a special plan based on your child’s cancer type and stage. In childrens hospital oncology department, your doctor may include treatment plans including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplants, or hormone therapy.
Each treatment option comes with its own set of considerations, including potential side effects, the need for hospitalization, and impacts on the child's quality of life. If you decide to have your child treated at the best pediatric oncology hospitals in Turkey, you may have a chance to get premium treatment options performed by highly experienced and skilled doctors at a low price when compared to other Western countries.
According to the cancer type and the extent of the disease at diagnosis, childhood cancer can come back. This can happen months or even years after the initial treatment has successfully eradicated the cancer. You should not miss any follow-up appointments to increase your chances of early detection and management of any recurrence.
The most common childhood cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which accounts for about 25% of all cancers in children. This type of leukemia affects the white blood cells and usually presents in children between the ages of 2 and 5. ALL is characterized by the rapid growth of immature white blood cells in the bone marrow, which can crowd out normal cells, leading to infection, anemia, and easy bleeding.
A pediatric oncologist is a specialist doctor dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and managing cancer in children, from infancy through adolescence. This medical expert combines a deep understanding of the unique types of cancers that affect children with specialized treatments tailored to the needs of young patients.
