THE GOAL OF THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE AS CHLDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS IS TO ACHIEVE AT LEAST A 60% SURVIVAL AND TO REDUCE SUFFERING FOR ALL CHILDREN WITH CANCER

Childhood Cancer is the leading cause of death in children under 18 and is actually a collection of diseases. Childhood cancers differ from adult cancers in the way they develop and show metastasis, the method of treatment taken up, and how they respond to treatment. The median age at diagnosis is six years old. There is no known cause of childhood cancer, and it occurs regularly and randomly across all ethnic groups. Some children are even born with cancer. Childhood Cancer is the leading cause of death in children under 18 and is actually a collection of diseases.

A recent National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) report summarized data from 28 population‐based and 58 hospital‐based cancer registries in India. The NCRP indicated that malignancies in children aged 0−14 constituted 4.0% of all diagnosed cancers. In recent years, India has witnessed a substantial increase in pediatric cancer cases, making it a significant public health concern. Additional difficulty a child cancer survivor has to deal is coexistence of multiple disease conditions such as treatment‐related effects (other cancers, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, renal failure, etc.) affecting the quality of life. A complex interplay of factors, including environmental pollution, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle changes, has collectively contributed to the alarming rise in cases, presenting intricate challenges for the Indian healthcare system. Early detection of pediatric cancer remains a formidable challenge in India. Limited awareness among parents and healthcare professionals, combined with often subtle symptoms, leads to delayed diagnosis. Addressing this challenge requires a multi‐pronged strategy encompassing improved awareness through public education campaigns, enhanced medical training programs, and the implementation of community‐based screening initiatives. Such initiatives are pivotal to improving the prognosis for affected children and reducing the burden on families and the healthcare system.

RECOGNIZING RED FLAGS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER:-

Ø  A white spot in the eye can be a cancer of the eye

Ø  A new squint or new blindness can be a cancer of the brain

Ø  A bulging eye can be a cancer of the eye that has been there for long, or it can be a cancer behind the eye

Ø  A lump in the abdomen, pelvis, head, neck, limbs, testes and glands

Ø  Fever for more than 2 weeks

Ø  Unexplained loss of weight and appetite

Ø  Pallor (paleness) or purpura (red/purple discoloration of skin)

Ø  Unexplained bruises or bleeding,  persistent oozing from the mouth or nose

Ø  Persistent  fatigue (tiredness)

Ø  Aching bones, joints and easy fractures are usually associated with Leukemia or Osteogenic Sarcomas.

Ø  Regression of milestones i.e. a child who had normal development suddenly starts to lose some of these functions and does not progress with development

Ø  Change or deterioration in walk or balance or speech.

Ø  Headache for more than a week, with or without vomiting. Early morning vomiting

Ø  Enlarging head & Cranial nerve palsy

KEY CLINICAL FEATURES: –Anorexia, Irritability and lethargy, fever, pallor, bleeding, petechial bleeding; lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, bone pain and arthralgia headache and vomiting. In 80% of cases, a child’s cancer diagnosis is delayed until the disease is very advanced and has spread to other parts of the body. Childhood cancers tend to be more aggressive than adult cancers, so this late diagnosis can significantly affects survival probability of the child.

THE MOST COMMON CANCERS IN CHILDREN ARE:-

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA:-

Leukemia is cancer of the blood. It’s the most common form of cancer in childhood. The cancer cells grow in bone marrow and go into the blood. The bone marrow makes abnormal blood cells that don’t mature. The abnormal cells are usually white blood cells (leukocytes). There are different types of leukemia in children.

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system and white blood cells called lymphocytes, affecting different parts of the lymphatic system, including the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and bone marrow, has 2 types Hodgkin Lymphoma & non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD TUMOR:-

Different types of tumors that tend to start in certain parts of the brain or spinal cord, and grow in certain ways. Brain and spinal cord tumors are typically divided into 4 grades I to IV. The common symptoms include:-

·         Headaches that may become more frequent or severe

·         Seizures

·         Feelings of pressure inside the skull

·         Nausea and vomiting

·         Sudden onset of vision problems

·         Difficulty in swallowing

NEUROBLASTOMA:-

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that starts in early nerve cells called neuroblasts, almost all cases of neuroblastoma happen in infants and children younger than 5 years old. The first symptoms are often vague and may include:-

·         Irritability

·         Pain

·         Constipation or diarrhea

·         Enlarged abdomen

·         Fatigue

·         Loss of appetite, weight loss

·         Dark circles around the eyes

·         Weakness

·         Fever

WILM’S TUMOR / NEPHROBLASTOMA:-

Children with Wilms tumor (also known as Nephroblastoma), symptoms:-

·         Nausea

·         Abdominal Pain

·         High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

·         Blood in the Urine

·         Loss Of Appetite

·         Fever

SARCOMA:-

The word “sarcoma” means a tumor that grows in the bones or soft tissue in general connective tissues. Sarcomas can also spread to other areas of the body,

1.   BONE SARCOMA

a.    Osteosarcoma: - Develops in areas where bone is growing quickly, such as the knee or upper arm.

b.    Ewing’s sarcoma: - These tumors grow in bones of the legs, arms, back, chest or pelvis. Some grow in the kidney and other soft tissues.

2.   SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS in children

a.    Rhabdomyosarcoma: - Typically develops in muscles.

b.    Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas: - These include all soft tissue sarcomas that are not rhabdomyosarcoma. Tumors can develop in any area in the body that has soft tissue.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS:-

     I.        EXTERNAL AGENTS: - Physical carcinogens such as ionizing radiation (X-ray) & non-ionizing radiation (electromagnetic fields, UV).  Biological carcinogens like infections from viruses (Epstein Barr virus: Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease; Hepatitis B leading to liver carcinoma; and HPV and HIV.

   II.        CHEMICAL CARCINOGENS: - Tobacco: mothers who smoke during pregnancy, Pesticides, asbestos, Aflatoxins, food and drinking water contaminants. Drugs and medication; pregnant women treatment (diethylstilbestrol leading to adenocarcinoma of the vagina or cervix)

 III.        INTERNAL AGENTS: - Inherited factors i.e. Predisposition to particular familial diseases; genetically determined features.

DIAGNOSIS & INVESTIGATIONS:-  CBC, Electrolytes, uric acid, LDH, LFT,  Spinal fluid cytology, Chest X – ray,  CT Scan, Bone marrow aspirate & biopsy.

TREATMENT PROCEDURES:-

v  Surgery

v  Chemotherapy

v  Immunotherapy

v  Radiation therapy

v  Bone marrow transplantation/stem cell transplantation

v  Integrative Method of Treatment.

PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF CANCER

As the child’s body is still developing therapies damage more than just the cancer cells. Young cancer survivors live the remainder of their lives with the side-effects of their initial treatments, few have been short-listed:-

§  Damaged speech and/or hearing.

§  Infertility and Endocrine Dysfunction.

§  Learning Disabilities.

§  Physical Handicaps due to nerve damage or amputation.

§  Delayed/ Disrupted cognitive development

§  Stunted Growth.

§  Chances of developing secondary cancer.

The child’s entire family is affected. The children may develop behavioral problems, anxiety, or depression. They may also begin to have trouble in school. This puts a financial, emotional, and social strain on the parents; even siblings feel neglected affecting their health & general performances.

AS A SOCIETY CONTRIBUTION IN PREVENTION & CREATING AWARENESS CONSIDERING SOME BASIC POINTS:-

ü  Universal access to clean water and sanitation that can reduce rates of infection-related complications.

ü  Multi-sectorial collaboration and international cooperation improve childhood cancer treatment outcomes.

ü  Promote access to care for all communities to reduce catastrophic health expenditure and inequalities.

ü  Investing in childhood cancer supports attainment of multiple health related targets, reducing hunger and malnutrition improves childhood cancer outcomes.

ü  Educational services needed for children with cancer where children need prolonged hospitalizations.

ü  Promote access to care that is not discriminatory against girls and enables mothers and families.

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE OF CANCER TREATMENT:-

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on tailor made treatment plan for an individual, where health is defined as the balanced and optimal functioning of the psycho-physiological systems of the body, the tissues, digestive power, the proper elimination of wastes, and immunity. Imbalances between these elements can lead to dysfunction, inflammation, and progression of disease. The use of specific herbs, such as turmeric, ashwagandha, and Neem and many more are integrated into treatment plans for their reputed anti-cancer properties.

At D. S. Research Centre; Nutrient Energy Treatment is based on concept of Ancient Ayurveda of re-establishing the normal harmonized status of Psycho-Physiological system of body, after it comes in contact with a disease, thus providing a hope to all Cancer Fighters and their Caregivers.