Impact of Chemotherapy and Radiation on Child Development

**Impact of Chemotherapy and Radiation on Child Development**

**Overview**

There are several different kinds
of cancer.  Each cancer progresses in the
same way. Cancer cells divide and multiply much faster than healthy normal
cells. However, cancer cells are uncontrollable and can lead to masses of
cancer cells called tumors. Cancer cells invade and take over healthy cells.
The healthy cells can no longer carry out their job as the cancer cells have
taken over. In order to cure cancer, a child must go through treatments such as
radiation and chemotherapy (Cancer.org,2014).

*Types of Cancer*
Treatment

Chemotherapy is medicine that can
reduce and destroy cancer cells. Children can receive chemotherapy medication
orally or intravenously (through a person’s vein). Radiation is another method
used to get rid of cancer cells. Radiation therapy is high energy waves
directed at the invading cells to shrink tumors by killing them. Both therapies
are used to help treat cancer (Cure research.com,2015).

*Primary Long-term*
Negative Effects of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy also
negatively affect a child’s growth and development. Chemotherapy slows down a
child’s growth rate for up to a couple of years after treatment. Studies are
still being conducted on long term effects of intensive chemotherapy on a child’s
growth. However, on average a child will lose 7.7 centimeters of their height
as a result of receiving this treatment. Many other effects are caused by
radiation therapy as well including direct effects on the bones, the skin,
major organs and the brain. These effects normally occur six months after treatment
exposure (Cancer.gov,2015).

*Primary Long-term*
Negative Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemo therapies also negative effects on growth and
development. Cognitive impairments can occur after a couple years of treatment.
This can result in problems with memory, poor hand-eye coordination and lower
academic achievement. Vision problems can also result from these treatments. Some
chemo drugs in particular may cause blurred vision or glaucoma. However, most
of the time, a patient’s eyesight comes back once treatment has stopped. In
addition to cognitive changes and changes in vision, chemotherapy can also
cause hearing loss and ringing in the ears.

The thyroid can also be affected by intensive treatment. The
thyroid gland is very important as it is a part of the endocrine system.
Hormones from the thyroid regulate the body’s metabolism and can affect the
development and growth of the child. Heart disease is another serious side
effect. Finally, the damage to the heart can occur during treatment; however
the effects may not show up till years later (Cancer.org,2014).

*Other Negative Side*
Effects

Common negative side effects children
experience during these treatments are fatigue, skin damage, discomfort and
pain. Fatigue can last for months during treatment. It is best to encourage
them to get as much rest possible and to decrease activities. As treatment
continues damage to the skin may also occur. Skin can become red and very
sensitive. If your child has radiation therapy before chemotherapy; blisters
may develop and their skin could potentially peel. Discomfort and pain is
normal during these harsh treatments. Certain drugs can cause headaches,
stomach and muscle pains.

Children also experience many other
negative side effects as a result of treatment with radiation and chemotherapy.
Some of the more common effects of radiation treatment include:

·
Hair Loss

·
Chemotherapy causes mouth, gum, and throat sores

·
Gastrointestinal problems

·
Low platelets

·
Increased risk of infection

·
Decreased Blood Counts

·
Urinary System Problems (Miller,2012).

**Management of Side Effects**

Many parents worry about how to
prevent and manage side effects during radiation and chemotherapy. Parents
should ensure that their children get plenty of sleep and relax. Children must
also eat a healthy balanced diet to keep their energy levels up. They should avoid
foods that are high in fiber  as well as dairy
products and spicy foods. Most importantly children must drink plenty of fluids
to stay hydrated and avoidcaffeinated drinks (Howcast.com, 2010).

**Conclusion**

Surviving cancer is difficult, but
with proper treatment it is possible. Although there are several side effects
to these treatments the overall outlook for children with cancer has improved tremendously.
In 1975, fifty percent of children survived at least five years once diagnosed
with cancer. Today, more than eighty percent of children have survived at least
five years (Cancer.gov,2015). A great deal of advancement has been made in
treating children with cancer in the past few decades and continues to improve.

**References**

Cure research.org
(n.d.). Chemotherapy in children.  *Cure Research.org.* Retrieved from http://curesearch.org/Chemotherapy-in-Children.

Cancer.org (n.d.). Children diagnosed with cancer: late
effects of cancer treatment. Cancer.org. Retrived http://www.cancer.org/treatment/childrenandcancer/whenyourchildhascancer/children-diagnosed-with-cancer-late-effects-of-cancer-treatment.

Howcast.com (2010, June 16). How to reduce the side
effects of chemotherapy and radiation[Audio howcast].Retrieved from http://www.howcast.com/videos/310925-how-to-reduce-the-side-effects-of-chemotherapy-and-radiation/

Cancer.gov (n.d.). Late effects of treatment for
childhood cancer. Cancer.gov.  Retrieved from
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/lateeffects/HealthProfessional/page8.

Miller, R. (2012). Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
*Kids Health.org.* Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/side\_effects.html.