How childhood cancers are different from adult cancers

Childhood cancers are not the same as adult cancers. The type of cancer, how far it spreads, and how it is treated is often different than adult cancers. Children's bodies and the way they respond to treatments are unique as well.

Keep this in mind when reading about cancer. Some cancer research is based on adults only. Your child's cancer care team can help you understand your child's cancer and the best options for treatment.

One big difference is that the chance of recovery is high in children. Most children with cancer can be cured.

Types of Childhood Cancers

Cancer in children is rare, but some types are more common than others. When cancer occurs in children, it often affects:

• Blood cells
• Lymph system

  Lymph system

  The lymph system is a network of organs, lymph nodes, lymph ducts, and lymph vessels that make and move lymph from tissues to the bloodstream. The l...

   

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• Brain
• Liver
• Bones

The most common cancer in children affects blood cells. It is called acute lymphocytic leukemia .

While these cancers can happen in adults, they are less common. Other types of cancer, such as prostate, breast, colon, and lung are more likely in adults than children.

What Causes Childhood Cancer

Many times, the cause of a childhood cancer is not known.

Some cancers are linked to changes in certain genes (mutations) passed from parent to child. In some children, gene changes that occur during early growth in the womb increase the risk of leukemia. However, not all children with the mutation get cancer. Children born with Down syndrome are also more likely to get leukemia.

Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancers do not occur due to lifestyle choices, like diet and smoking.

It is hard to study childhood cancer because it is rare. Scientists have looked at other risk factors including chemicals, toxins, and factors from the mother and father. The results of these studies are unclear.

Diagnosis

Cancer is usually found at a later stage in children compared to adults. It has often spread to other organs or tissues. In adults, cancer is often found in an earlier stage, but not always.

Treatments

Treatment for childhood cancer is similar to treatment for adult cancer. It may include:

• Chemotherapy

  Chemotherapy

  The term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...

   

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• Radiation therapy

  Radiation therapy

  Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.

   

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• Medicines
• Immune therapy    

  Immune therapy

  Biological therapy; Biotherapy

   

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• Stem cell transplants

  Stem cell transplants

  A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fat...

   

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• Surgery

For children, the amount of therapy, type of medicine, or need for surgery may differ from adults.

In many cases, the cancer cells in children respond better to treatments compared to adults. Children can often handle higher doses of chemo drugs for shorter periods before side effects occur. Children seem to bounce back sooner from treatments compared to adults.

Some treatments or medicines given to adults are not safe for children. Your health care team will help you to understand what is right for your child depending on his or her age.

Children with cancer are best treated in children's cancer centers attached to major children's hospitals or universities.

Side Effects

Treatment for cancer may cause side effects.

Mild side effects, such as rash, pain, and upset stomach can be bothersome for children. The medicines used to help reduce these symptoms may be different for children compared to adults.

Other side effects can harm their growing bodies. Organs and tissue may be changed by treatments and affect how they function. Cancer treatments may also delay growth in children, or cause another cancer to form later on. Sometimes these harms are noticed weeks or several years after treatment. These are called "late effects."

Your child will be watched closely by your health care team for many years to look for any late side effects. Many of them can be managed or treated.