What is Childhood Cancer?
Cancer is an uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth that can spread to other parts of the body, wreaking havoc and disrupting normal bodily functions. Childhood cancers grow more rapidly than adult cancers because the cancer tissues grow together with the fast-growing tissues of the child.

Learn more about childhood cancer:
Common types of childhood cancer
Different modes of treatment
Side effects of treatment
Psychological and social effects of childhood cancer
Facts and myths about childhood cancer

Common types of childhood cancer
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is the cancer of the blood-forming cells. These abnormal, immature white blood cells start to grow abundantly and invade other tissues and organs. They also crowd out and slow the production of normal blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) in the bone marrow. The most common form of Leukaemia among young children is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Brain tumour
It is the most common type of solid tumours in children. It forms when cells in the brain or nervous system start growing abnormally and clump together to form a tumour which then disrupts the normal brain functions.

Lymphoma
It is the cancer of the lymph glands which starts in the lymphoid tissue found all over the body. Lymphoma causes swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin. There are two broad varieties of lymphoma: Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the latter being more common in children.

Other types of childhood cancer
Osteosarcoma - cancer of the bone
Neuroblastoma - cancer of the sympathetic nervous system.
Wilms' Tumour- cancer of the kidney

Radiotherapy
The use of radiation to kill cancer cells.

Surgery
Usually combined with radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Bone marrow transplant
A bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which healthy bone marrow is given to replace the bone marrow of cancer patients who are not responding to conventional therapy.

Less common side effects:
- Allergic reactions such as rash, shortness of breath
- Jaundice (yellow tint of the skin and eyes)
- Blood in the urine
- Tiredness
- Lack of co-ordination

• Stress & behavioural changes in children: Treatments can impact on the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of the child. They may experience mood swings or confusion about their diagnosis and their parents' reactions. It is important to spend time listening to children and trying to understand their feelings to help them cope.

• Disruption to school: Children have to stop school temporarily until their doctor gives the go-ahead. Parents need to consider positive ways to engage and occupy the children. It is useful to inform the school of the children's conditions, maintain contact periodically and work with the schools to help with their re-integration after treatment.

• Anxiety over long-term effects of illness & treatment: Some treatments may have long-term effects on children, and more information can be obtained from the doctor.

• Impact on siblings: Siblings of the sick child may feel neglected as attention is focused on the child with cancer. Involve siblings by explaining to them what is happening and discuss questions and concerns that they may have.

• Coping with marital strain & employment issues: Couples may experience strain and tension due to the stress of taking care of a sick child and having less time together. Stress may also take the form of employers not understanding the situation. It is helpful for couples to communicate their worries and feelings and work out solutions together. Support systems like extended family members can be tapped upon to help care for children so that parents can rest.

Cancer cannot be spread from one child to another. We isolate children with cancer as their immunity is low and are vulnerable to infections.

Myth 2: Childhood cancers are inherited.
Fact 2: There is no known cause for most childhood cancers.

At least 95 % of the cancers in children occur spontaneously. Since the triggers of most childhood cancers are unknown, preventive measures are limited. Thus far, studies suggest that there is nothing a child or parent did to induce cancer, and therefore, should avoid doing in order to prevent childhood cancer.

Myth 3: Childhood cancers are a death sentence.
Fact 3: Most childhood cancers are curable.

For example, in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, which is a common form of Leukaemia in Singapore, 3 in 4 children will be cured with chemotherapy alone. A successful cure depends on receiving the current-day standard therapy, a positive attitude and determination to overcome cancer.

Myth 4: Children with cancer lose all reasons for living.
Fact 4: Children with cancer can still lead a normal childhood.

Children with cancer can lead a normal childhood. Many children return to normal school life after treatment. In other cases, the children and their families adapt and modify their lifestyle to achieve normalcy. This becomes much easier with care, understanding and support from family, teachers, friends and other caregivers.

Myth 5: All tumours are cancerous
Fact 5: Not all tumours are cancerous.

Tumours are either benign or malignant. Malignant tumours are cancerous cells that invade and spread to other parts of the body. In contrast, benign tumours invade tissues surrounding it and generally do not spread.