It is a common belief that cancer is a disease that affects only adults. However, sadly, childhood cancer is a reality that many families deal with. In the US alone, 10,590 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Less Common Types of Childhood Cancer

There are several types of childhood cancer, which differ from adult cancers in their prevalence. Childhood cancers are less common than adult malignancies, accounting for less than 1% of all new cancer diagnoses every year.

The most common childhood cancers are:.

Leukemia
Lymphoma
Brain and spinal cord tumors
Neuroblastoma
Wilms tumor
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Bone cancer
Germ cell tumors

Differences Between Childhood and Adult Cancers

The biological differences between childhood and adult cancers are significant. While adult cancers often develop due to lifestyle choices or environmental exposures, childhood cancers typically arise from genetic mutations.

These mutations may be inherited or occur spontaneously during fetal development. In contrast to adult cancers, childhood cancers are more likely to spread to multiple sites in the body, and they have a higher potential for relapse.

Mutations in Childhood Cancer

The genetic mutations that cause childhood cancer are different from those in adult cancers. Children’s cancers tend to have fewer mutations, making them easier to treat in some cases.

For example, leukemia in children is often associated with a specific genetic mutation that occurs in the white blood cells. This discovery has led to the development of targeted therapies that can precisely target the mutated cells, leading to improved outcomes.

In contrast, adult leukemias are often associated with a wide range of genetic mutations, making them more challenging to treat effectively.

Effects of Treatment on Children

The treatment for childhood cancer can be particularly challenging, as it often involves potent chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. While these treatments can be effective, they can also cause long-term side effects in children.

These side effects may include growth problems, infertility, and an increased risk of secondary cancers later in life.

The Importance of Childhood Cancer Research

Given the biological differences between childhood and adult cancers, it is essential that researchers continue to focus on developing targeted and less toxic therapies for children.

Unfortunately, funding for childhood cancer research is often inadequate compared to that for adult cancers. This funding gap is due in part to the mistaken belief that childhood cancer is rare, and therefore, it is not a priority for research. In reality, however, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children under the age of 19.

Treatment Advances in Childhood Cancer

Despite the challenges associated with treating childhood cancer, significant advances have been made in recent years.

For example, immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer, has shown great promise in treating childhood cancers. Immunotherapy can target specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells, making it a highly targeted therapy with minimal side effects.

Additionally, advances in genetic sequencing have led to a better understanding of the mutations that cause childhood cancers, leading to the development of targeted therapies.

Conclusion

Childhood cancer affects thousands of families each year and differs from adult cancers in many ways. While childhood cancers are less common, they are more likely to spread and relapse.

However, childhood cancers have fewer mutations, making them easier to treat in some cases. Given the significant impact of childhood cancer, it is essential that funding for research continues to improve, and that advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy lead to improved outcomes and fewer side effects.