Each cell in our bodies goes through a series of replication, a regulation of growth, within its life span. Occasionally, there is a mutation, or a problem in a new cell that has just been replicated. These mutated, or bad cells, lose the normal control mechanisms and grows in a way that the body can no longer regulate. When a cell continually grows and produces more bad cells, this is when cancer occurs. There are thousands of types of cancer, all involving different cells. Different kinds of cancer have different symptoms, treatments, interventions and prognoses; all depending on the cell involved and the degree of uncontrolled cell growth.

All kinds of cancer, including childhood cancer, have a common disease process - cells grow out of control, develop abnormal sizes and shapes, ignore their typical boundaries inside the body, destroy their neighbor cells, and can ultimately spread (or metastasize) to other organs and tissues. As cancer cells grow, they demand more and more of the body's nutrition. Cancer takes a child's strength, destroys organs and bones, and weakens a child's immune defenses against other illnesses.

What Causes Cancer?

Many types of cancer are caused by environmental factors. This could include diet and lifestyle, exposure to too much sunlight without skin protection, and exposure to chemicals and radiation. It is difficult to say how a child's cancer developed. However, the factors that trigger cancer in children are usually not the same factors that may cause cancer in adults, such as smoking or exposure to environmental toxins . Occasionally, there may be an increased risk of childhood cancer in children who have a genetic condition , such as Downs Syndrome. Children who have had chemotherapy or radiation treatment for a prior cancer episode may also have an increased risk of developing a recurrence of the same cancer, or even another type. In almost all cases, however, childhood cancers arise from non-inherited mutations (or changes) in the genes of growing cells. Because these errors occur randomly and unpredictably, there is currently no effective way to prevent them.

Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer is relatively rare, affecting about 19 of every 100,000 children in the United States each year. Among all age groups, the most common childhood cancers are leukemia (cancer of the blood), lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), and brain cancer. As children enter their teen years, there is also an increase in the incidence of types of sarcoma (bone cancer). The sites of cancer are different for each type, as are treatment and remission rates .

Sometimes, your child's doctor may be able to spot early symptoms of cancer at regular checkups. However, some of these symptoms (such as fever, swollen glands, frequent infections, anemia , or bruises) are also associated with other infections or conditions that are not cancer. Because of this, it is not uncommon for both doctors and parents to suspect other childhood illnesses (not cancer), even when cancer symptoms first appear.

Once cancer has been diagnosed, it is important for parents to seek help for their child at a medical center that specializes in pediatric oncology, or treatment for childhood cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Cancer

• Unexplained weight loss
• Headaches, often with early morning vomiting
• Persistent Fevers
• Consisten infections or colds
• Whitish color behind the pupil
• Excessive bruising, bleeding, or abnormal rash (not allergies)
• Fatigue
• Pale color in face
• Vision Changes
• Persistent pain
• Problems with balance and/or coordination
• Speech or coordination problems

If you are a parent or have a family member where cancer is suspected, please check with your primary pediatrician. Information here is not medical advice and you should always talk to your child's doctor before an assumption or diagnosis is made.

Link to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org

Link to Hodgkins Disease Website www.fight2win.org

Link to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society www.leukemia-lymphoma.org

Link to National Childhood Cancer Foundation www.curesearch.org