What is cancer in children?

9 April 2021

A disease like cancer does not distinguish ages and can occur in childhood or in old age. In this way, the rapid growth of malignant cells that form tumors and invade organs and tissues also occurs in children, and sometimes their appearance is unexplained.

However, the development of some types of childhood cancer have been associated with different infections or with the carrier of a virus such as HIV, for example. However, it is important to consider that many types of cancer can be prevented through vaccination and many have a solution with timely diagnosis.

Among the most common types of cancer in children are:

Leukemia.
Rhabdomyosarcomas; muscle tumors.
Bone cancer; affects the bones and joints.
Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas; cancer of the lymphatic and immune system.
Brain and central nervous system tumors.
Thyroid cancer; affects hormonal development.

Signs and symptoms Cancer in children

Although the symptoms may be different depending on the type of cancer and its progress, the following usually appear:

Nausea and vomiting.
Unexplained weight loss.
Behavioral changes.
Blurred vision.
Seizures.
Unexplained swelling, lumps, and bruising.
Excessive tiredness.
Frequent headaches.
Frequent and unexplained fevers.

The above are warning signs, but they can also appear with other conditions. In the event that your child suffers from any of them, see your Saludora doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnosis and treatment Cancer in children

The following tests are commonly performed:

Physical examination of the patient.
X-ray and computed tomography.
Biopsy of affected tissues or organs.
MRI.
Lumbar puncture.
Blood tests.
PET.

Frequently, cancer treatment consists of a combined strategy, which includes:

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy; to neutralize malignant cells, reduce the size of the tumor, and relieve symptoms.
Surgery; to remove the tumor.
Targeted therapy; refers to targeting specific genes.
Immunotherapy; to strengthen the immune system.
Bone marrow transplant; to replace damaged cells and help make new ones.

At Saludora Medical Center, doctors from different specialties work together to treat childhood cancer, so a highly specialized team of surgeons, oncologists, and radiologist oncologists will treat your child with the warmth and humane treatment that sets us apart.

Related centers and departments Cancer in children

ABC Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

mayoclinic.org
cancer.org
medlineplus.gov
cancer.net
medigraphic.com
Draper GJ. Childhood cancer: trends in incidence, survival and mortality. Eur J Cancer 1995;31A:653-654.
Rodriguez-Galindo C, Friedrich P, Morrissey L, Frazier L. Global challenges in pediatric oncology. Curr Opin Pediatr 2013;25:3-15.
Steliarova-Foucher E, Stiller C, Lacour B, Kaatsch P. International classification of childhood cancer, third edition. Cancer 2005;103:1457-1467.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is cancer in children?

Signs and symptoms Cancer in children

Diagnosis and treatment Cancer in children

Related centers and departments Cancer in children

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Cancer in children