KARIMNAGAR, OCTOBER 08, 206: Cancer in children is thankfully rare; hence, most people are not aware that children can get cancer. The good news is that most childhood cancers are highly curable, especially when detected early and treated in specialised Paediatric Oncology centres focused on delivering care to children with cancers.
With early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care, most children can go on to live long, healthy lives. It is very important to raise awareness about early warning signs, dispel long-standing myths surrounding paediatric cancer, and highlight the critical role of specialised treatment centres.
Talking to newsmen at Yashoda Medical Centre in Karimnagar town on Thursday, Dr Parinitha Reddy Gutha, Clinical Director & HOD, Paediatric Oncology & Haematology, Yashoda Hospital, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, said that “Unlike adult cancers, which are often linked to lifestyle factors or environmental exposures, the cause of childhood cancers is largely unknown”. Because prevention is rarely possible, early recognition and prompt referral are the most effective tools for saving lives. When diagnosed at an early stage, overall cure rates for many Paediatric cancers now exceed 80% when managed at dedicated Paediatric cancer centres, she added.
“Decades ago, a cancer diagnosis in a child felt like an insurmountable sentence, but modern medicine has transformed that reality entirely,” Today, childhood cancer is treatable and, in many cases, completely curable. However, achieving the best outcomes requires two essential factors: parents and primary care doctors recognising the early warning signs, and children receiving care in specialized centers equipped specifically for pediatric oncology.”
Recognising the Early Warning Signs: Symptoms of pediatric cancer often mimic routine childhood illnesses; parents and caregivers need to pay attention to persistent or unexplained symptoms:
- Persistent, unexplained fever or recurring infections lasting longer than usual.
- Unusual lumps, swellings, or masses, particularly in the abdomen, neck, chest, or armpits.
- Unexplained weight loss or persistent fatigue.
- Easy bruising or bleeding, without an obvious injury.
- Persistent bone or joint pain that wakes a child up at night.
- Frequent and persistent morning headaches, especially when accompanied by vomiting.
- Eye changes, such as a whitish glow in the pupil or a newly developed squint.
If a child shows persistent symptoms that do not resolve with standard remedies, parents should request an evaluation by a Paediatrician
Why Specialised Care Matters
Children are not mini-adults, and the biology of childhood cancers is different from adults, and their bodies respond differently to treatments.
Treatment of childhood cancer requires a specialised team led by paediatric oncologists, trained nurses etc working together in a dedicated children’s cancer facility. Specialised centres offer higher cure rates and access to advanced clinical protocols and also prioritise long-term quality of life, minimising long-term side effects and supporting the mental and emotional well-being of both the child and their family.
“I am very happy to announce that since my return to India 13 years ago, our team has treated many Children from Karimnagar with conditions like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia(ALL)
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML), Langerhans cell Histiocytosis (LCH), Aplastic Anaemia
Thalassemia, etc. With excellent outcomes on par with Western countries, we continue to strive for the fact that “No family should go through this journey alone or without the best expertise available. Every child is precious and deserves the best
With timely diagnosis, proper guidance, and specialised care, we can offer our children a good cure along with a healthy and bright future “, she pointed out.
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