The most common symptoms of cancer in children. How not to miss them?

It is estimated that every year in Poland a diagnosis that is afraid of all parents is made in about 1200 children. And although cancer in the youngest is a rare group of diseases, it is the second most common cause of death. We explain the importance of early diagnosis and what symptoms should arouse our “oncological vigilance” …

Vigilant = safe

Oncologists have long emphasized that early detection is a chance for recovery and a long life. Unfortunately, in Poland, the diagnosis of childhood cancers occurs most often in the advanced stage (stage III and IV), which is one of the reasons for therapeutic failures. Difficulties in making a quick diagnosis are mainly due to low social awareness and knowledge about childhood cancers, which may cause atypical and non-specific symptoms. That is why the so-called oncological vigilance that should be demonstrated by both general practitioners, paediatricians, as well as parents and teachers.

If the disturbing symptoms persist for a long time and, importantly, increase over time, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis, taking into account the underlying neoplastic disease. What, then, should arouse “oncological anxiety” in each of us?

A prolonged fever or low-grade fever

Febrile states are seen with leukemias, lymphomas, histiocytosis, sympathetic neuroblastoma, bone tumors, and Wilms’ tumor. In the course of particular neoplastic diseases, fever may be accompanied by additional symptoms such as weakness, pallor, bone pain, pain in the extremities, enlarged lymph nodes, enlargement of the spleen and liver. In patients with bone tumors, fever is initially associated mainly with nocturnal bone pain and resistance to antibiotic therapy. However, in the case of histiocytosis, fever may be the primary symptom, it is resistant to antipyretics, and the involvement of other organs is accompanied by its relapses.

Pain

Its characteristic feature is the increase in severity over time and the decreasing effectiveness of analgesics. Most often, pain is accompanied by other signs of cancer: change in mood, decreased activity and weakness, tearfulness, irritability, loss of appetite and weight loss. The analysis of the medical history of cancer patients shows that lower limb pain is observed in the course of: acute and chronic leukemias, bone tumors of various histological malignancies and in cases of secondary involvement of the skeletal system by the neoplastic process.

Headaches, on the other hand, are an early symptom of a brain tumor present in over 30% of people. sick. In turn, rapidly growing tumors causing pressure and neoplastic infiltrates in the intestines and lymph nodes are responsible for the occurrence of pain in the abdominal cavity. Symptoms of acute abdomen are observed in the course of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, Wilms’ tumor (with haematuria), primary liver tumors, germinal tumors and primary abdominal sympathetic neuroblastoma.

Vomiting

They are most often observed in patients diagnosed with neoplasms located in the central nervous system (CNS) and are caused by an increase in intracranial pressure. Vomiting can also accompany tumors that develop in the abdominal cavity.

Cough

Persistent and ineffective may be one of the symptoms associated with mediastinal tumors. It is also observed in generalized histiocytosis and in cases of lung tumor involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and osteogenic sarcomas.

Micturition disorders

Polyuria is observed in the course of: embryonic tumors, primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), pineal gland, and histiocytosis. In turn, oliguria and anuria may occur in the course of a bilateral Wilms tumor, rapidly growing tumors oppressing the urinary tract, germinal tumors, neuroblastomas and malignant sarcomas located in the small pelvis.

Stool passing disorders

Diarrhea is observed in the course of disseminated neuroblastoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, histiocytosis X, carcinoid and medullary adrenal carcinoma. On the other hand, constipation in the course of CNS and spinal cord tumors, gastrointestinal neoplasms and neoplastic tumors that may compress the gastrointestinal tract.

Lymphadenopathy

The parent’s “oncological anxiety” should arouse their enlargement, immobility, uneven surface, abnormal consistency, as well as skin abnormalities in their area, such as redness or increased warmth. However, it should be remembered that lymphadenopathy is often the result of physiological immune overactivity in children and is found in 25% of children. “Little patients” examined by a pediatrician.

Other alarming signals that may suggest cancer include: the appearance of strabismus (in a previously healthy child), especially unilateral, exophthalmos and the so-called spectacle hematomas, asymmetry of the face and neck, asymmetry, distortion and enlargement of the abdominal circumference.

As for pigmented moles, attention should be paid to the rapid increase in their dimensions, color change, the appearance of an erythematous areola around them and nodules developing around the hemangiomas.

Less “white spots”

The good news is that early childhood cancers have a good chance of being treated successfully and with a good prognosis. Today, oncologists manage to help around 70-80 percent. “Small patients”, mainly due to complex therapy, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The multidisciplinary team of specialists, which is the key to optimal care and proper support of a sick child, should include doctors, nurses, psychologists, teachers, clergy and social workers.

Bearing in mind the needs of “small patients” struggling with cancer, a new place is currently being created on the map of Poland – the Hospice House in Zaleszany “The House of Angels”. As emphasized by the founder and president of the Z Serca Dla Serca Foundation, Karol Czernecki, the location of the facility is not accidental.

There are only 18 hospices for children in Poland. However, at the junction of three provinces: Podkarpackie, Świętokrzyskie and Lubelskie, we have a huge white spot, and parents have to walk 100 km one way to the nearest facility where their children with cancer are treated. This is why the mission of the Heart for the Heart Foundation is to build the Hospice House in Zaleszany. A place different from all the others, where “little patients” will be surrounded by closeness and warmth, and at the same time will be provided with the highest level of medical, psychological and spiritual care, explains Karol Czernecki.

Unlike other hospices, the House of Angels will be primarily a “home” with a capital D. No hospital rooms, but rooms with colorful walls. There will be no impersonal chairs and tables, but comfortable armchairs and student desks. The medical facility is to become a “haven in disease” for both children affected by cancer and their parents.