Childhood cancers are the second most frequent cause of death in the youngest. All because cancers in children develop at a rapid pace and have slightly different symptoms than in adults, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Find out what are the most common cancers in children.

Childhood cancerdiffers significantly from adult cancer. First of all, their histological structure is different, which means that they have different symptoms than cancers that develop in adults. Moreover, in children, the tumor is usually malignant (benign changes are very rare) and grows very quickly.

In adults, it takes an average of three months for neoplastic cells to double, and three weeks for children. The uncharacteristic symptoms and the rapid development of childhood cancers, as well as the rarity of their occurrence (approximately 1% of all cases) make early diagnosis extremely difficult, which reduces the chances of recovery and recovery.

Childhood cancers - the most common cancers in children

In Poland, 1100-12000 new cases ofchildhood cancersare diagnosed every year.The most common cancers in childrenare leukemias, which account for an average of 35 percent. all cancers diagnosed in children in Poland. Central nervous system neoplasms are in second place in terms of frequency, accounting for approx. 23%. all cancers. The third most common cancer in children is lymphoma (approx. 10%).

Pediatric tumors - leukemias

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequently diagnosed (about 80% of all leukemia cases in children and adolescents). Acute non-lymphoblastic leukemias (ANLL) occur in approx. 17 percent. children with leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is the least frequently diagnosed (3% of all leukemia cases in children).

CHECK>>How to recognize the symptoms of leukemia in children and adults?

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 5. In turn, the incidence of ANLL has two peaks (the highest one occurs during infancy).

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Infant neoplasms and the age of a child

In the first year of life, tumors of embryonic origin are usually diagnosed: sympathetic neuroblastoma (neuroblastoma), embryonic nephroblastoma (Wilms' tumor, nephroblastoma) and retinoblastoma.

Between the ages of 2 and 4, the incidence of leukemias, dominated by acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is the highest.

Children and adolescents have Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas as well as bone tumors and soft tissue neoplasms. Epithelial neoplasms referred to in pediatric oncology as "rare tumors" are also observed in older children and young adults.

Childhood cancers - cancers of the nervous system

The most common cancers of the central nervous system are medulloblastoma, gliomas (primary brain tumors) of various degrees of malignancy, and ependymomas. About 24 percent. tumors occur in children under 3 years of age, 43 percent. - aged from 3 to 10 years and approx. 33% over the age of 10.

Childhood cancers - lymphomas

Hodgkin's disease is the most commonly diagnosed type of lymphoma. In children, Hodgkin's disease rarely occurs before the age of 5, later two peaks are observed: in 5-6-year-olds and 10-11-year-olds - more often in boys.

Childhood cancers - other common cancers in children

Another frequently diagnosed childhood cancer issympathetic neuroblastoma( neuroblastoma ) - a malignant neoplasm originating from neural tube cells (neuroblasts) - which accounts for 7 percent. all malignant tumors in children. In 50 percent. of cases, the disease affects children under 2 years of age.

TheWilms tumoris the most common malignant neoplasm of the kidneys in children. It accounts for nearly 6 percent. all childhood cancers. In most cases, it is diagnosed in children under the age of 7.

Next aresarcomas- a group of malignant neoplasms originating from connective tissue, such as nerves, muscles, joints, bones or blood vessels. In this group, the following are usually recognized:

  • bone sarcomas - the most common diagnosis is osteosarcoma, which usually occurs in adolescents. This may be related to the rapid bone growth, the more so as the tumor most often occurs at the sites of the greatest increase in bone length and size. Another bone sarcoma cancer that often develops between the ages of 10 and 20 isEwing's sarcoma (tumor) ;
  • soft tissue sarcomas- most often it affects children aged 2-6 and adolescents over 12 years of age. They are usually diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma;

Bibliography:

Balcerska A.,Epidemiology of neoplastic diseases in children , "Via Medica" 2009Compendium of Children's Oncology , edited by Krawczuk-Rybak M., Białystok 2004

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International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC)I. Leukemias II. Lymphomas III. Tumors of the central nervous system IV. Sympathetic neoplasms V. Retinoblastoma VI. Renal tumors VIa. Wilms' tumor, rhabdoid and clear cell sarcoma VIb. Kidney cancer VIc. Other malignant kidney tumors VII. Liver tumors VIIa. Hepatoblastoma VIIb. Hepatic carcinoma VIIc. Unclassified malignant liver neoplasms VIII. Malignant bone tumors IX. Soft tissue sarcomas X. Germinal tumors XI. Cancers and other malignant neoplasms of epithelial origin XIa. Adrenal cortex cancer XIb. Thyroid cancers XIc. Nasopharyngeal cancer XId. Skin melanoma XId. Skin cancer XIf. Other and unclassified crayfish XII. Other and unclassified neoplasms

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Oncology