Early Detection of Cancer in Children

Cancer in children is difficult to recognize. Childhood cancer is different from adult cancer. Cancer in adults can be prevented, while in children it cannot. Childhood cancer is not easy to detect early because, in the early stages, sufferers rarely make complaints, and the symptoms are easy to see, so they need to be alert. Cancer in children can arise in various organs of the body. The cure for cancer in children really depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease when diagnosed, and the response to treatment. For several types of cancer in children, the cure rate is quite high.

Cancer in children needs to be detected early because if cancer is diagnosed early, the prognosis is better. Stage 1 or 2 cancer has a better prognosis than stage 3 or 4. There are three ways to detect and diagnose cancer early in children, namely:

1. Early detection of cancer in children in high-risk groups, namely:
   • Children with neurocutaneous syndromes (disorders involving the nervous system and skin).
   • Chromosomal abnormalities Down syndrome (a genetic disorder) and Fanconi anemia (a rare inherited condition that affects the bone marrow and many other parts of the body).
   • Immunodeficiency (a condition when the body is unable to fight infection and disease).
   • Previous history of malignancy.
   • family history of malignancy.
   • congenital defects and syndromes such as Beckwith-Weidman syndrome (impaired growth syndrome), aniridia (absence of the iris), and hemihypertrophy (a condition where one side of the body grows more than the other).
2. Be alert for childhood cancer where the symptoms involve the body's systems.
   • Hematological system and bone marrow;
   • Brain (CNS);
   • Lymph gland
   • Intra-abdominal tumors;
   • Intra-thoracic tumors
   • Soft tissue (muscle) and bone
3. Early signs of childhood cancer include:
   • pallor and purpura;
   • persistent fever for no apparent reason;
   • weight loss;
   • lumps or tumors on the head, abdomen, pelvis, trunk, arms, or legs.
   • Enlarged cervical lymph nodes;
   • Neurological symptoms, seizures, and headaches;
   • Eye symptoms;
   • Bone and joint pain

The aim of cancer treatment in children is to destroy or get rid of malignant cancer and to limit or minimize its growth and spread.

Cancer in children, although relatively rare compared to adults, remains a serious problem in the world of health. Cancer in children is difficult to recognize because the symptoms are not specific, and vigilance is needed for the early detection of cancer in children. Children with symptoms suggestive of cancer should be referred to a pediatrician or pediatric cancer center.

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