Through Childhood Cancer Awareness Month every September, we’re able to continue to shed light on pediatric cancer, bringing attention to finding a cure through research and supporting all the children battling this disease.
To help increase awareness, here are the top three types of pediatric cancer and their symptoms:
Acute lymphocytic leukemia
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) starts in the developing white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Because it originates in the blood, ALL can spread to other parts of the body quickly and could be fatal within months. Some of the symptoms include swelling of the child’s belly, lumps under the skin or bone/joint pain. The child could also experience weight loss, fever, night sweats, fatigue or appetite loss.
While adults are more likely to develop tumors in the upper parts of the brain, children develop them in the lower parts of the brain. Some of the symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision, dizziness, trouble walking or handling objects.
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that starts in the developing nerve cells in an embryo or fetus. It usually occurs most often in babies and in children younger than 10 years old. Some of the symptoms include a large lump or swelling in a child’s belly or a hard, painless lump in the neck.
Remember that cancer symptoms may resemble other medical conditions. Consult your child’s primary care provider if you have concerns about symptoms in your child.