What are childhood cancers and their incidence rates?
Worldwide, 400,000 children battle cancer every year. In Turkey, 2,000 to 3,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually. Leukemia has been identified as the most common cancer diagnosis. So, what are the most common childhood cancers? At what ages do they appear? Here are the details...
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Cancer types seen between the ages of 0-15 are called childhood cancers. While early diagnosis is crucial in bringing the disease under control, methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy also carry great importance.
CHILDHOOD CANCERS AND THEIR INCIDENCE RATES
Childhood cancers exhibit different characteristics from adult cancers and are generally associated with genetic factors or congenital mutations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.
MOST COMMON CHILDHOOD CANCERS
Leukemia (30-35%) It is the most common cancer in childhood. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) are the most common types. It disrupts the production of blood cells by affecting the bone marrow.
Brain Tumors (20-25%) Brain and central nervous system tumors are common in children. Astrocytomas, Medulloblastomas, and Ependymomas are the most common types. Symptoms include headaches, vomiting, and balance problems.
Lymphomas (10-15%) These are types of cancer that affect the lymph nodes. They are divided into two as Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Neuroblastoma (7-10%) It is a type of cancer that originates from nerve cells. It is usually diagnosed in children under 5 years of age.
Wilms Tumor (5-7%) It is a kidney-derived type of cancer. It is usually diagnosed around the age of 3-4.
Osteosarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma (5-7%) These are the most common types among bone cancers. They appear more commonly during adolescence.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES
In early diagnosis, success rates of up to 85% can be achieved, especially in leukemia treatment.
With developing treatment methods, a large portion of childhood cancers can be treated successfully. Especially in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the success rate can reach up to 85%.
However, in developing countries, the mortality rate for childhood cancers remains higher due to problems in accessing diagnosis and treatment.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS
- Pay attention to symptoms such as prolonged fever, fatigue, and frequent infections in children.
- Consult a doctor if there are unexplained bruises, swelling in the lymph nodes, or sudden weight loss.
- Do not neglect routine health check-ups.