Cancer is a short word but is a bunch of multiples of diseases and the news of its diagnosis is never welcomed by heart. It is also very difficult when the disease is diagnosed in a child or adolescent. Cancer is not so common among children in America as compared to the older adults. 1 in every 285 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with disease before the age of 20.

The types of cancers that develop in children and adolescents differ from those that develop in adults. An estimated 10,450 new cases and 1,350 cancer deaths are expected among children below 14 years of age only in America.

Common Cancer Types and Symptoms Among Children

Symptoms depicting cancer in children:

Early diagnosis of cancer in children is difficult because of the similarity of symptoms to more common diseases of childhood. That is why, parents should ensure that their children have regular medical checkups and be alerts to any unusual signs. Some of the early signs of cancer in children are as follows:

  • Bone and joint pain
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Weakness
  • Bleeding
  • Poor appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Changes in eyes (bulging, dark circles or droopy eyelids)

Common cancers among children:

Various types of cancers prevails every age group but in children cancers are different from those that develop in adults. Lifestyle factor does not play any role of cancer in children. Basically, the usual result of DNA changes in cells that take place very early in life is the main cause of cancer. Below are the most common types of cancers found among children:

  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – Thisis the most common childhood cancer and accounts about 34 percent of cancers in children. ALL cancer is more common in males than females.
  • Brain Tumours- Thiscancer type accounts about 27 percent of childhood cancers. Most of the brain tumours in children start in the lower parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum.
  • Lymphoma- This type of cancer starts in certain cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. In this cancer type, lymph nodes and other lymph tissues gets affected, like tonsils. Bone marrow and other organs may also affect and can cause different symptoms depending on where the cancer is growing. Some of the symptoms depicting lymphoma cancer are swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit, fever and weakness.

Final words:

Due to the fine treatment facilities and advanced techniques, more than 80 percent of children suffering from different types of cancers now survive five years or more. Moreover, cancer is the second leading death caused among children younger than 15 years old, after accidents.

This information is contributed by Jessica a Niche writer who loves to write on hot and trending topics. She is currently writing for OnlineRxMEdicines.