Rare tumours

"Rare tumours in children | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Cancer Cancer types in children Rare tumours Rare tumours More children than ever are surviving childhood cancer. There are new and better drugs and treatments, and we can now also work to reduce the after-effects of having had cancer in the past. Its devastating to hear that your child has cancer, and at times it can feel overwhelming, but there are many healthcare professionals and support organisations to help you through this difficult time. Understanding more about the cancer your child has and the treatments that may be used can often help parents to cope. Your childs specialist will give you more detailed information, and if you have any questions its important to ask the specialist doctor or nurse who knows your childs individual situation. Types of rare cancers in children Rare cancers in children make up fewer than 1 in 30 of all childhood cancers and can broadly be grouped as: rare cancers that only affect children, such as pancreatoblastoma, malignant rhabdoid tumours and melanotic neuroectodermal tumours of infancy cancers that usually only affect adults, such as cancers of the digestive system, the thyroid and the adrenal gland rare cancers in the head and neck area, such as nasopharyngeal cancer rare hormonal/endocrine cancers, such as phaeochromocytoma rare brain tumours, such as meningioma rare skin cancers, such as melanomas Causes The causes of most rare childhood cancers are unknown. But if other family members have had particular types of cancer, this may sometimes suggest that there is an inherited faulty gene in the family. If this is a possibility, your childs specialist will talk to you about it. Treatment Rare cancers are treated with the same treatments used for other childhood cancers. This includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Your child may need a combination of these treatments. Surgery Usually an operation is done to remove all or as much of the cancer as possible. Other treatments, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, may be given after or sometimes before surgery. They may also be used if an operation is not possible. Radiotherapy Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. It can be used to treat any cancer cells that may be left behind after surgery, or to shrink a cancer. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is usually given as injections and drips (infusions) into a vein. Chemotherapy may be used to lower the risk of the cancer coming back or to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Research Clinical trials are usually not available as the number of children with rare cancers is so small. The Childrens Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) aims to improve the care and treatment of children with cancer and it develops guidelines on the best ways of treating and managing those with rare tumours. Doctors communicate with specialist colleagues in other countries to promote research in rare tumours and develop new forms of treatment. Your feelings As a parent, the fact that your child has cancer is one of the worst situations you can be faced with. You may have many emotions, such as fear, guilt, sadness, anger and uncertainty. These are all normal reactions and are part of the process that many parents go through at such a difficult time. Its not possible to address here all of the feelings you may have. However, the CCLG booklet Children & Young Peoples Cancer; A Parents Guide talks about the emotional impact of caring for a child with cancer and suggests sources of help and support. Your child may have a variety of powerful emotions throughout their experience of cancer. The Parents Guide discusses these further and talks about how you can support your child. Source: Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 14 November 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Search for cancer support services near you Enter a place or postcode NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852"