Cases of childhood cancer rising

Team L&M

Cancer cases are increasingly being detected among young children in India, with at least 50,000–75,000 new cases reported annually. Globally, this number exceeds 400,000, and researchers predict that by 2030, the overall burden may reach 20 million.

Experts from Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar, lay emphasis on the importance of parents staying alert to symptoms and seeking medical advice without delay. They pointed out that cancer is far easier to treat if detected at an early stage, but once diagnosis is delayed, it can become life threatening.

Dr. Annie Q. Hasan, Head of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, says. “Leukemia, lymphoma, and central nervous system tumors are the most common cancers in children. Some inherited and genetic conditions, including Neurofibromatosis, Retinoblastoma, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Disease, and Down syndrome raise the risk.”

“These conditions may cause tumor-suppressing genes to mutate or lead to chromosomal abnormalities, triggering leukemia, brain tumors, or sarcomas,” she adds. Further, Dr Hasan explains that when pediatricians suspect a genetic predisposition, children are referred for genetic counseling. With the help of genetic testing, certain cancers can be identified at the initial stage, enabling early treatment.

Consultant Pediatrician and Pediatric Intensivist Dr Kanchan S. Channawar highlights that some cancerous cells may start forming even before birth, in fetal stage. The faster these abnormal cells grow, the earlier cancer manifests in childhood. Leukemia and lymphomas are the most frequent types. “Unlike in adults, children often respond more quickly to chemotherapy and recover faster, resuming their normal lives. However, factors such as genetic mutations, rapid fetal cell growth, prenatal exposure to radiation, drugs, or chemicals, infections like Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), and immune system abnormalities can contribute to childhood cancer,” she says.

“Environmental pollution and parental lifestyle habits also play a role. Warning signs include repeated fever without reason, loss of appetite, weight loss, joint pain, headaches, abdominal pain, swollen lymph nodes, and pale skin. Parents should seek immediate medical advice if these symptoms occur,” she adds.

Medical Oncologist Dr S. Jayanthi notes that cancer today affects all ages. And, nearly 5 per cent of India’s pediatric cancer cases are reported from the Telugu states. Further, around 5–10 per cent of these are hereditary. “If a family history of cancer exists and children present with symptoms like painless lumps, abdominal masses, fever, weight loss, headaches, vomiting, vision changes, or unexplained bleeding, doctors must be consulted immediately,” she advises. “Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes,” she adds. Dr. Jayanti also says that pesticide residues in food, radiation, environmental pollution, and lifestyle factors such as alcohol use also increase risks.