September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?
A simple hug is a happiness
⦿ A hug speaks volumes without words. It’s care, understanding, and instant warmth and love. Hugs are for everyone – friends, family, even pets. They can be quick and gentle or long and comforting.
⦿ Hugs can be a source of comfort, happiness, and a sense of connection between people.
⦿ A hug offers solace during tough times, providing the strength to carry on when you feel overwhelmed.
⦿ Every hug, whether big or small, gentle or strong, happy or sad, emanates from the heart. In a hug, you’ll find that you’re never alone; it’s a connection felt deeply.
Hepatoblastoma in children
Childhood Liver Cancer: Hepatoblastoma is a rare form of liver cancer primarily affecting children.
Age Group
It typically occurs in kids under 3 years old, with the highest incidence in infants. However, it can be seen in adolescents too.
Causes
The exact cause of hepatoblastoma remains unclear, with no established risk factors. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, which is a condition caused by 'FAP' gene mutation & causing multiple polyps in the large intestine is considered a risk factor for hepatoblastoma.
Symptoms
Signs include an enlarged liver, abdominal mass, pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a CT scan and liver tissue biopsies. Serum AFP (Alfa Feto Protein), which is a tumour marker, the level gets highly elevated in hepatoblastoma.
Treatment
Surgical tumour removal, sometimes liver transplant, and chemotherapy are standard treatments. The sequence of treatment will vary as per the clinician's judgement.
Carcinoma Rectum in children
Childhood Rectal Cancer: Carcinoma of the rectum in children is an exceptionally rare form of cancer. However, it requires mention as it is very aggressive.
Age Group
It typically occurs in older children and adolescents.
Causes
Genetic mutations are the usual cause of cancer occurring in such young patients. FAP gene mutation is the most common of all.
Symptoms
Common signs include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves colonoscopy and biopsy.
Staging
Staging is crucial to determine the cancer's extent and to plan appropriate treatment. CT Scan of the chest and abdomen along with CEA level helps in staging.
Treatment
Treatment often includes surgery to remove the tumour, along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The sequence of treatment depends upon the stage of the tumour.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?
A simple hug is a happiness
⦿ A hug speaks volumes without words. It’s care, understanding, and instant warmth and love. Hugs are for everyone – friends, family, even pets. They can be quick and gentle or long and comforting.
⦿ Hugs can be a source of comfort, happiness, and a sense of connection between people.
⦿ A hug offers solace during tough times, providing the strength to carry on when you feel overwhelmed.
⦿ Every hug, whether big or small, gentle or strong, happy or sad, emanates from the heart. In a hug, you’ll find that you’re never alone; it’s a connection felt deeply.
Hepatoblastoma in children
Childhood Liver Cancer: Hepatoblastoma is a rare form of liver cancer primarily affecting children.
Age Group
It typically occurs in kids under 3 years old, with the highest incidence in infants. However, it can be seen in adolescents too.
Causes
The exact cause of hepatoblastoma remains unclear, with no established risk factors. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, which is a condition caused by 'FAP' gene mutation & causing multiple polyps in the large intestine is considered a risk factor for hepatoblastoma.
Symptoms
Signs include an enlarged liver, abdominal mass, pain, weight loss, and jaundice.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a CT scan and liver tissue biopsies. Serum AFP (Alfa Feto Protein), which is a tumour marker, the level gets highly elevated in hepatoblastoma.
Treatment
Surgical tumour removal, sometimes liver transplant, and chemotherapy are standard treatments. The sequence of treatment will vary as per the clinician's judgement.
Carcinoma Rectum in children
Childhood Rectal Cancer: Carcinoma of the rectum in children is an exceptionally rare form of cancer. However, it requires mention as it is very aggressive.
Age Group
It typically occurs in older children and adolescents.
Causes
Genetic mutations are the usual cause of cancer occurring in such young patients. FAP gene mutation is the most common of all.
Symptoms
Common signs include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves colonoscopy and biopsy.
Staging
Staging is crucial to determine the cancer's extent and to plan appropriate treatment. CT Scan of the chest and abdomen along with CEA level helps in staging.
Treatment
Treatment often includes surgery to remove the tumour, along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The sequence of treatment depends upon the stage of the tumour.