Check Your Child For Cancer

Many children suffer from cancers every year, many never finding relief. From Hodgkin Lymphoma and Liver cancer to Leukemia, this article will give information on symptoms, prognosis and when a doctor should be seen.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which are also called leukocytes or WBC. Leukemia causes a large number of white blood cells to be made in the bone marrow, and these cells then crowd the marrow and burst into the blood. They cannot react as regular white blood cells do, and therefore are not useful in protecting the body from disease because they are irregular and defective. There are no causes known at this time for leukemia, but children with genetic disorders such as neurofibromatosis are at a higher risk of developing leukemia due to the medications used to suppress the immune system after transplants.

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymph system, which is part of the immune system. This system includes bone marrow, thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. Any cancer that begins in the lymph system is called a lymphoma. There is no known cause for this cancer, but evidence of infections may play a part in the development.

Symptoms

Anemia or a low number of red blood cells is normally one of the first signs of leukemia in blood tests as well as a higher than normal white blood cell count. Fevers and recurrent infections are common in children with leukemia due to the white blood cells being defective. Easy bruising or bleeding as well as joint and bone pain, swollen glands in the neck or groin, abnormal tiredness and poor appetite are common symptoms that should be followed up on with a physician. Hodgkin symptoms include swelling or pain in one gland that continues for weeks. Normally the first gland to be noticed is in the neck or armpit. Higher than normal temperature, night sweats as well as weight loss and severe itching are all common symptoms.

When Should You See A Doctor?

If a child has had to take any immune system suppressing medications due to another illness or disease for leukemia or Hodgkin, and a CBC shows higher than normal white blood cells or lower than normal red blood cells, a doctor should be sought. Blood smears that show abnormal blood cells are typically seen in leukemia patients, so if this test has been performed, a oncologist should be seen. If the child has an enlarged liver or spleen, this can often be a sign of some cancers in children, and any concerns you may have should lead you to a physician.

Samara is a busy mom of four including a set of twins and a special needs child. When she isn't running between soccer games and PTA meetings, she is putting her university education to work as a writer hoping to provide useful information for other moms and dads.

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