Pediatric Oncology

What Conditions do Pediatric Oncologists Treat?

Pediatric oncologists primarily focus on cancers in children and adolescents. The main conditions they treat include:

1. Blood Cancer: Blood cancer refers to a group of cancers that impact the bone marrow, blood, and the lymphatic system. The three main blood cancers include:

• Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer found in the blood cells. It majorly affects the white blood cells, however, it can also impact platelets and red blood cells.
• Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymphatic system is known as Lymphoma. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs responsible for maintaining fluid balance in the body. It also assists in supporting the immune system. Our lymphatic system consists of the spleen, lymph nodes, and other tissues.
• Multiple Myeloma: This is a type of blood cancer that affects the plasma cells. Plasma cell is a kind of white blood cell that is developed in the bone marrow.

2. Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor: Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor: This tumor develops in the brain or spinal cord. It may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). However, the impact of this cancer depends on its exact location, type ( based on the type of cells), and size. Tumors of the brain and spinal cord can seriously impair a child's neurological growth and function. The necessity to remove the tumor is measured against potential adverse effects that can harm the child's growth and development while making treatment selections.

3. Solid Tumor: Solid tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that form in different organs or tissues in the body. This tumor can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). It can occur in organs or tissues like bones, kidneys, liver, brain, etc. The main types of solid tumors include sarcomas and carcinomas.

• Sarcomas: This tumor develops in a ligament, blood vessel, fat tissue, bone, or muscle. Types of sarcomas include Osteosarcoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma.
• Carcinomas: This is a tumor that forms in epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are cells that are found in the skin, body cavities, and blood vessels in abundance.

What Tests or Diagnostic Procedures are Done Under Pediatric Oncology?

There are multiple examinations to diagnose pediatric cancers:

• Physical Examination: Under physical examination, pediatric oncologists try to diagnose cancer by looking for any abnormalities in the outer part of the body, like swellings or lumps.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests like tumor marker test, blood chemistry, and CBC ( complete blood count) are also conducted to diagnose pediatric cancers. These tests can provide necessary information that may guide experts in further testing and treatment.
• Imaging Tests: These include X-rays, MRI Scans, CT scans, etc. Imaging tests can help doctors obtain a better view of the organs, tissues,blood vessels, and bone. It can help in obtaining important information on the size and growth of cancer.
• Biopsy: Biopsy helps us recognize whether the tissue in question is cancerous. This procedure uses a thin needle to take a sample of cells from the suspected tissue.

What are the Various Treatments Used By Oncologists to Treat Pediatric Cancer?

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, we move to the treatment part. While the treatment methods are the same in both standard and pediatric treatment, the approach is slightly changed in pediatric oncology. Treatment for pediatric cancer includes:

• Chemotherapy: In chemotherapy, strong medications are utilized to eradicate cancer cells. These medications help in identifying and eliminating cancer cells from all over the body. They function by obstructing the growth and division of the cancer cell. Chemotherapy is generally given orally (taking medicines by mouth), or intravenously ( injecting medicine through a needle into a vein).
• Surgery: Surgery refers to the procedure of removing the tumor either cancerous or noncancerous that is found in the body. It is one of the most effective treatments under pediatric oncology. The procedure aims to excise the complete tumor, leaving no traces of it behind in the healthy tissues. When possible, pediatric surgeons use minimally invasive techniques of surgery to avoid young patients' scars and shorten their recovery periods.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses powerful lasers (high energy X-rays) to target and kill cancer cells. High-energy rays are precisely directed at the tumor, damaging the cancer cells' DNA and preventing their growth. Radiation therapy can be delivered externally, with a machine focusing the rays on the cancerous area, or internally, by placing radioactive seeds near the tumor.
• Stem Cell Transplant ( Pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant): Stem cell transplant is used when chemotherapy alone isn't successful in treating cancer. Stem cells are produced in the bone marrow and later they evolve into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. In stem cell transplant, the damaged and deficient stem cells are replaced with healthy cells.