Tumors, mainly of the blood and lymphatic tissues, are more common in children (40-50% of cases). Malignant tumors of the brain, kidneys, soft tissues, and bone tissue are next. Tumors of an embryonic nature (that is, those that develop in the mother's womb) also occur in the first years of a child's life.
In the early stages of cancer, symptoms typical of common diseases occur. When a tumor develops in the body, the child's appetite decreases, he becomes dehydrated, his body temperature rises from time to time, he often has a headache, and after waking up he feels nauseous.
If a tumor develops in the bones of the hands and feet, in the early stages of the disease there is occasional pain in these areas. The pain is like a bruise or an injury.
It should be noted that malignant tumors in children are very different from those in adults. For example, because embryonic tumors are more common in children, they are sometimes associated with birth defects. In addition, the clinical signs of cancer in children appear shortly and develop rapidly.
Brain tumors account for up to 20% of all malignant neoplasms in children. These tumors differ in structure and properties. Children are more likely to have medullablastomas (tumors that develop independently), as well as astrocytomas (malignant tumors of the central nervous system), glioblastomas that develop in the spinal cord, and ependymomas that develop in the brain.
At the onset of the disease, the child has a headache and nausea in the morning. Dizziness, blurred vision, and the appearance of flying objects in front of the eyes. As the tumor grows, various changes take place in the body (paralysis, imbalance, paralysis of the arms and legs).
Malignant lymphomas are tumors that develop from lymphoid tissue and account for up to 30% of childhood cancers. These types of tumors include Hodgkin's lymphoma (lymphogranulomatosis) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (lymphosarcoma, reticulosarcomas). Malignant lymphomas begin with enlargement of one or more areas of the lymph nodes. This is followed by fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, and excessive sweating.
Nephroblastomas are malignant tumors of the kidney tissue and are most common in children under 2 years of age. When a mother bathes or strokes her baby, she inadvertently notices that there is a fetus in her abdomen. Only then do they consult a doctor.
Malignant tumors in the bone occur in 6% of cases, mainly in the hard and private blood vessels of the bone. Patients consider themselves injured and go to traumatologists and have a plaster cast applied to the area where the tumor is developing, and even undergo physiotherapy. This type of treatment causes the tumors to grow faster. Only then will the child be taken to an oncologist.
Malignant tumors that develop from soft tissues are found in all areas of the body. These tumors often grow rapidly and spread to other organs.
Herminogenic tumors (ie, teratoid tumors, which can lead to birth defects and disabilities), as well as testicular and ovarian tumors, are rare in children.
Treatment of malignant tumors begins with surgery and is followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. For example, in the case of brain tumors, the tumor is removed first and then continued treatment is prescribed. If the treatment is carried out gradually and diligently, the child will recover completely.
If you notice that your child has any of the above symptoms, see an oncologist right away. The disease is then diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, which allows patients to fully recover from cancer.
Mirza-Ali GʼOFUR-OXUNOV,
Tashkent city oncology dispensary
chief physician, doctor of medical sciences, professor.
