Paediatric Oncology

Paediatric Cancer Treatment In Hyderabad

A cancer diagnosis is quite stressful for children. There is no specific reason for a child to develop cancer, however, most childhood cancers are curable. Cancer in children can affect any part of the body but mostly it is common in the bones, blood and muscles.

Children cannot be treated as adults. Their needs and the way they have to be treated needs special care. Paediatric oncologists are specialized in treating all cancers among children. Most of the cancers are cured and they are able to lead a normal life after the treatment.

Common Cancer Conditions Treated at CARE Hospitals

• Primary and secondary cancers - Primary cancers don’t spread to any other part of the body while secondary cancers do.

• Leukemia is mainly found in blood and bone marrow.

• Acute leukaemias need immediate medical attention as they can spread very quickly.

• Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors usually occur in the lower parts of the brain.

• Lymphomas usually start in lymph nodes and tissues and the most common symptoms are swollen lymph nodes, excessive weight loss and also fatigue.

• Wilms tumor usually starts in one or both the kidneys. The common symptoms are nausea and fever.

• Neuroblastoma usually develops in infants. The symptoms are severe bone pain and fever.

• Bone Cancers are usually developed in children and teenagers.

Common Cancer Symptoms

Cancers in children are very difficult as there are some common illnesses or injuries. Some of the unusual symptoms are:

• A lump or swelling.

• Paleness and loss of energy.

• Bruising and bleeding.

• Limping.

• Fever.

• Sudden changes in the vision.

• Blindness

• Headaches and vomiting

• Change in speech.

• Sudden weight loss.

All these are the main symptoms if noticed and require immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis of Childhood Cancer

Cancer in children is diagnosed by paediatric oncologists by conducting various tests in order to begin the treatments immediately. Initial tests are done to confirm cancer and in the next step, the tests assemble to calculate the stage of cancer. Cancer has four stages where the fourth stage can be life-threatening. 

Some of the tests for cancer include;  

• Blood and urine tests.

• MRI, CT scan and PET CT scan.

• Bone marrow test and the lumbar puncture.

• Biopsy.

The doctors will also examine the size of the tumors and if they have spread to any other parts of the body. Along with this, the lymph nodes, bone marrow and liver will also be examined. Some more tests like the genetic tests of tumors are also done.

It is very important to do the diagnosis correctly so that the treatment can be in the right way.

The main treatment types include; 

• Surgery where the tumor is removed.

• Chemotherapy- The drugs are given so that the spread of the cancer cells is stopped. The drugs are given mainly in the form of intravenous where it is injected into the veins.

• Radiotherapy is the treatment that is done with energy rays to destroy the cancer cells.

CARE Hospitals offers state-of-the-art infrastructure along with a skilled team in the paediatric oncology department. We understand that young children require a different approach and our team is trained to deal with children sensitively. Cancer can be cured when it is dealt with in the early stages. Therefore, if any symptoms are noticed, immediate medical intervention is needed.