Childhood CancerGabby Kulikowski & Kellie Campbell

What is Cancer?

All types of cancer start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.

Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells.

Cancer cells can also invade other tissues. Growing out of control and invading other tissues are

what makes a cell a cancer cell.

In most cases the cancer cells form a tumor. Some cancers, like leukemia, rarely form tumors.

How is Childhood Cancer Different from Adult Cancer?

Development Childhood cancers are often the result of DNA changes

in cells that take place very early in life, sometimes even before birth.

Cancers in adults are strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors.

Treatment Children’s bodies can handle chemotherapy better than

adults’. HOWEVER Cancer treatments such as chemo and

radiation therapy can cause long-term side effects Children who have had cancer will need careful follow-up for

the rest of their lives.

Types of Childhood Cancer

Leukemia (most common type)

Brain and other CNS tumors

Neuroblastoma

Wilms tumor

Lymphoma (including Hodgkin and non-hodgkin)

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Retinoblastoma

Bone cancer

Prevention

A few environmental factors, such as radiation exposure, have been linked with some types of childhood cancers. However, most childhood cancers have not shown to have outside causes.

Childhood cancer is difficult to prevent because most cases are a result of inherited DNA.

Improvements

In recent years, scientists have made great progress in understanding how certain changes in our DNA can cause cells to become cancerous.

There have been major advances in treatment in recent decades, resulting in a greater survival rate.

Statistics

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children (after accidents).

Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades.

About 11,630 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2013

About 1,310 children younger than 15 years old are expected to die from cancer in 2013.

Statistics

More than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Whereas the 5-year survival rate in the mid-1970s was less than 60%.

Childhood cancers are rare, making up less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed each year

Treatment

Treatments are chosen for childhood cancers based mainly on the type and stage of the cancer.

Treatment options might include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or other types of treatment.

There are exceptions, but childhood cancers usually respond well to chemotherapy because they tend to be cancers that grow fast.

The Treatment Team Pediatric oncologists

Doctors who specialize in using medicines to treat children with cancer

Pediatric surgeons Doctors who specialize in performing surgery in children

Radiation oncologists Doctors who specialize in using radiation to treat cancer

Pediatric oncology nurses Nurses who specialize in caring for children with cancer

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants Nurses and other professionals who are specially trained

and licensed to practice medicine alongside doctors

The Treatment Team cont.

The centers where children are treated for cancer also include: Psychologists

Social workers

Child life specialists

Nutritionists

Rehabilitation and physical therapists

Educators who can support and educate the entire family

Childhood Cancer Awareness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FRC94_25kA