The rate of childhood cancer in the world is increasing, according to the WHO, at least 300,000 children and adolescents around the world are diagnosed with cancer each year; of which 1,800 new cases of childhood cancer are estimated per year in Peru. The advancement of treatments allows more than 80% of children with this pathology to be cured, therefore early detection is essential. Dr. Esmeralda León, pediatric oncologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us some insights into this disease.

Warning signs

• Paleness
• Unexplained bruising or abnormal bleeding
• Persistent fever for more than 7 days for no apparent reason
• Neurological problems such as seizures, muscle weakness, behavior changes, confusion
• Persistent increasing headaches accompanied by vomiting and nausea
• Pain in the bones that interrupts the child’s activity
• Abnormalities in one or both eyes. There is a white spot (leukocoria) or deviation of the eyes (strabismus)
• Blurred vision, double vision, or blindness
• Glands enlarged, not painful

Early diagnosis

Bear in mind that many symptoms of cancer in children are nonspecific, since it depends on the organ in which they originate. In addition, childhood cancer is not preventable like other pathologies, so the most effective strategy is to detect it early and receive timely, correct and scientific data-based treatment. Likewise, it is important to listen to the parents, take a detailed medical history and complete physical examination during consultations, especially if they have warning signs or are patients with risk factors associated with neoplasms. About 10% of children with cancer develop the disease because they inherited some genetic mutation.

Early diagnosis consists of three components:

• Knowledge of family members and access to health professionals
• Clinical evaluation and determination of the degree of the disease in a timely and accurate manner
• Quick start of treatment

It should be borne in mind that curing childhood cancer has two objectives: ending the disease and avoiding long-term sequelae. Although there are some that may be unavoidable, depending on the affected organ, current treatments are designed to minimize these sequelae as much as possible.

Dr. Esmeralda León
Pediatric oncologist atClínica Ricardo Palma