“Every February 15, we commemorate the International Day against Childhood Cancer, with the aim of raising awareness of this disease among the population. In Peru, around 1,800 new cases of childhood cancer are registered annually, of which only approximately 1,400 will be properly diagnosed, and half of them will reach advanced stages,” says Dr. Esmeralda León, a pediatric oncologist at our clinic, who provides us with valuable information about this dreaded disease which, if detected in time, can be cured.
Most common types of childhood cancer
- Leukemia: This is the most common type of cancer. It begins in the bone marrow, the soft tissue found in the center of the bones, where blood cells are formed. Within it, acute lymphatic leukemia is the most common.
- Tumors of the central nervous system: These are the second most frequent cause of malignant tumors. Although great advances have been made in their diagnosis and treatment, this type of childhood cancer still represents one of the greatest challenges for health professionals.
- Lymphomas: They occupy third place and are a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, made up of a network of organs and vessels that carry a transparent liquid called lymph in the body. This network is a fundamental part of the body’s immune system.
Advances in treatments
- With the knowledge of the disease, it is known that an important group of patients have a genetic affectation or predisposition to develop cancer at an early age, and this makes possible the timely detection and consequent treatment.
- On the other hand, there are more specific drugs to treat certain types or subtypes of childhood cancer, which improves the survival rate of this disease.
What signs and symptoms should we be alert for?
- Most typically, the child has unexplained fever for more than 1 week with no cause found.
- Bruising in areas of the body where the child has not had a previous contusion or blow.
- Appearance of lumps in different areas, not painful.
- Increased abdominal volume.
- Vomiting, especially in the morning, accompanied by headache.
- Pallor and abnormal bleeding
- Neurological problems such as seizures, muscle weakness, behavioral changes, confusion.
- Bone pain disrupts the child’s activity.
- Abnormalities in one or both eyes. A white spot (leukocoria) or deviation of the eyes (strabismus) is present.
- Blurred vision, double vision, or blindness.
Dr. Esmeralda León
Pediatric oncologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma
