Solid Tumor

WHAT IS SOLID TUMOR IN CHILDREN?                                                                                                   

• SOLID TUMOR are when any of the cells in the body start multiplying rapidly, over a period of time, they form a solid mass or a lump. These solid masses/tumors/lumps can develop anywhere in the body – organs, bones, or tissue. These can either increase in size only (benign) or grow into nearby organs, nerves or blood vessels and also spread to other parts of the body (malignant or cancerous) like lungs, liver and bone.

WHY DO CHILDREN DEVELOP CANCER?                                                                                                   

• There is no specific reason for a child to develop cancer. About 5% of the children who develop cancer have a mutated gene transferred from one of their parents (family history of cancer). Rarely, they are related to exogenous sources/exposure to some substance.

WHAT ARE THE RED FLAGS OR WHEN SHOULD PARENTS MEET THE DOCTOR?

• The signs and symptoms vary depending on the site, size, stage and type of tumour.

• Accidently picked - Some may not have any obvious signs but are picked up while the child is being examined for other problems, noticed by a family member.

• Rarely, increased blood pressure (headache), rapid movements of the eye, the white colour of the pupil, the child limping while walking or bone pain and blood in urine. These symptoms must be evaluated as they might indicate the presence of the disease.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MEET A DOCTOR?                                                                                                   

• Common diseases are ruled out and if there is suspicion of cancer, tests are done to know about the type of tumor and to see its spread. These two are important factors that decide the risk category of the child. The higher the risk of the disease, the higher the intensity of treatment required.

 WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT IS REQUIRED FOR SOLID TUMOR?                                                                                                   

• The common treatment required is surgery and chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy.    The    decision    of    single/combination    of    treatments    is individualized. The aim is to treat adequately and avoid over treatment to avoid immediate or long-term side effects.

 WILL MY CHILD BE ABLE TO LIVE LIFE NORMALLY?                                                                                                   

• Almost 70% of the children who develop cancers are able to survive while some may develop few side effects of the treatment. For the tumors that are identified in the early stage, the outcomes are more than 90%.

  IMPORTANT TO KNOW!                                                                                          

• These solid tumors have good outcomes, early diagnosis and early commencement of treatment gives best results. The intensity of treatment given is not high, the outcomes are better and lesser are the side effects.

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