Child most common cancer includes the following forms of childhood cancer:
- Leukemia is represented usually by lymphoblastic leucosis. Its rate is 33 per cent and it is the most common childhood cancer.
- Brain tumor and spinal marrow cancer take the second place according to the frequency and develop mainly in cerebellum and brainstem. Adult cancer usually develops in different parts of brain but mostly in cerebral hemispheres. Tumors in marrow cancer are not frequent form of adult and child cancer.
- Nephroblastoma (or Wilms' tumor) affects kidney. It may be bilateral and unilateral. Usually it may occur at the age of 2-3.
- Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial tumor. It is infant malignancy that occurs during the first year of life.
- Retinoblastoma is a tumor of eye. It is not frequent, but it causes blindness in 5 per cent of cases.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequent childhood cancer of soft tissues.
- Osteogenous tumor is the most frequent primary osseous tumor of children and young people.
- Endothelial myeloma, or Ewing's sarcoma, is not so frequent. It is the disease of children and teenagers.
- Lymphogranulomatosis, or Hodgkin's disease, develops from lymph cells i.e. lymph node and organs of immune system at the age of 15-40 and after 55.
- Lymphosarcoma, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, comes third according to the frequency. It develops from lymph tissues.
It is known that psychological conditions and attitude are a very important part of cancer treatment. It is especially difficult in the case of childhood cancer. The disease itself, treatment, stress may cause different psychological and mental problems.
There are several factors that influence the reaction of the patient and his family. They include his age, personal peculiarities, his mentality, his parent's reaction and a drastic change in the way you live your life.
Intensive treatment and frequent hospitalizations usually cause some problems in school attendance and other problems such as poor results, problems in learning, a lack of understanding with classmates and friends. The disease may cause difficulties in relations between the child and the family. The child may change his behavior towards obedience or aggressiveness.
The most frequent disorder is asthenia i.e. general weakness, difficulties in concentration and retention, irritability, sleep disturbance, headaches. Sometimes depression may occur. It causes inhibition intellectual and motion activity, pessimistic attitude, etc.
It is extremely important to remember that these problems are usually temporary and can be corrected. Do not be afraid to consult psychologists.
If the family lives the usual life, maintains its usual social relations the child feels better and positive and has normal relations with his family and friends. Any contacts with other parents whose child has withstood an ontological disease can really help the parents whose child is suffering from it.
Sometimes the parents unite and organize get-togethers or fundraisers that include the families and the cancer specialists, psychologists, psychiatrist, etc.