Less than one percent of all childhood cancers can be attributed to a cause or inheritance of some kind. Since pediatric cancers are not the result of anything the child has done or had exposure to, they are difficult to prevent, he says. Early detection, however, can allow the tumors to be spotted and treated in the earliest, most curable stage. Treatment remains the best approach to childhood cancer says Civin. Advances in molecular biology techniques that allow scientists to examine human DNA for mistakes or alterations continue to provide clues, as well as targets, for new therapies.
Childhood cancer is often difficult to recognize.
Regular medical checkups are essential and parents should be alert to unusual symptoms that persist. A combination of therapies are used, depending on the specific diagnosis and extent of the cancer. The most commonly used treatments are surgery, treatment with anticancer drugs called chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Bone marrow transplantation has become a viable treatment option for patients with very advanced cancers or cancers that do not respond to standard therapies. Medical care is coordinated by a oncologic physicians, pediatric nurses, social workers, psychologists, and others who help children and their families.