Pediatric oncologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers in children, adolescents, and young adults. While childhood cancers are relatively rare compared to adult cancers, pediatric oncologists manage a range of malignancies and related conditions. Some common disorders treated by pediatric oncologists include:
- Leukemia:
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): This is the most common childhood cancer and affects the blood and bone marrow.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): AML is less common in children but can occur.
- Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors:
- Medulloblastoma: A common malignant brain tumor in children.
- Gliomas: These tumors can affect various parts of the brain and can be benign or malignant.
- Ependymoma: A type of tumor that can occur in the brain or spinal cord.
- Neuroblastoma:
- A cancer that develops from immature nerve cells and typically affects children under the age of five.
- Wilms Tumor:
- A kidney cancer that primarily affects children and is usually diagnosed in preschool-aged children.
- Lymphomas:
- Hodgkin Lymphoma: A type of lymphoma that can affect children and adolescents.
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in children.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma:
- A soft tissue sarcoma that often affects muscles and can occur in various parts of the body.
- Bone Tumors:
- Osteosarcoma: A type of bone cancer that typically affects adolescents.
- Ewing Sarcoma: Another type of bone cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents.
- Retinoblastoma:
- A rare eye cancer that usually affects young children.
- Hepatoblastoma:
- A liver cancer that primarily affects young children.
- Germ Cell Tumors:
- These tumors can develop in the testes, ovaries, or other parts of the body and primarily affect adolescents.
- Histiocytosis:
- Conditions like Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are rare disorders that involve abnormal immune cell activity and can require treatment by pediatric oncologists.
- Bone Marrow Disorders:
- Conditions like aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may require the expertise of pediatric oncologists due to their close association with blood and bone marrow abnormalities.
Treatment for these disorders often involves a combination of therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation, and targeted therapies. Pediatric oncologists work closely with other specialists, including pediatric surgeons, radiation oncologists, hematologists, and pathologists, to provide comprehensive care to children and young adults with cancer. Advances in pediatric oncology have improved survival rates for many childhood cancers, but early diagnosis and specialized care remain crucial for the best possible outcomes.