Because cancer is uncommon in children, we don’t always know what the warning signs are. They can often be confused with common childhood ailments. And while the chance that your child has cancer is rather low, it never hurts to have symptoms looked at by a healthcare professional.
Catching cancer early, whether in children or adults, is one of the best things we can do to ensure a positive outcome. The faster cancer is detected, the less time it has to grow or spread.
When it comes to potential indicators of pediatric cancer, be safe rather than sorry. While these are not all of the potential symptoms of childhood cancer, they are among the most common. Children, especially young children, may not know how to communicate how they are feeling or when something is wrong. Because of this, vigilance on the part of parents and healthcare providers is paramount.
As always, it is essential that parents, friends, and family members never self-diagnose but see a healthcare provider for the appropriate testing and diagnoses.
6 Common Symptoms of Pediatric Cancer
Abnormal Bruising
While it’s fairly normal for children to pick up their fair share of bumps and bruises, pay close attention. Bruises that do not seem to heal or appear from very minor bumps that should not otherwise leave a mark can be a sign that the blood is not clotting properly. This can happen when their platelet count is lowered by leukemia.
Look for red spots under the skin, which can indicate the abnormal bleeding of tiny blood vessels. This is called petechiae. A simple blood test can help determine if there are any abnormalities.
Persistent Pain
Children might have trouble telling you the details about where they’re hurting and what kind of hurt it is, but they are rarely shy in letting us know how they feel. We all know that kids can exaggerate aches and pains, but we must be careful not to ignore persistent complaints of pain from children. These pains can point toward more serious problems. Chronic pain, particularly in one part of the body, can be indicative of osteosarcoma, a type of cancer in the bones.
Vision Changes
Several years ago, a mother inadvertently discovered that her child had retinoblastoma after taking a photo of him with the flash on. In the photo, a white reflection can be seen in one pupil. Leukocoria (a white or pink pupil) and lazy, crossed, or otherwise misaligned eyes are the primary symptoms of retinoblastoma. Because there may not be initial pain despite the presence of a tumor, these can be critical early indicators.
Strange Lumps or Swelling
Abnormal bodily swelling caused by a malignant tumor (a soft tissue sarcoma) can be easy to overlook. Because these lumps can develop gradually, they might not be immediately evident. This is particularly true because these tumors, more often than not, do not cause pain or discomfort. A child isn’t all that likely to draw attention to it as they might not even notice themselves! While not all lumps or swelling are indicative of cancer, it is wise to have any abnormalities examined.
Unexplained Illness
Seemingly chronic fatigue and illness can point to cancer. Because kids are energetic and busy, lethargy is cause for concern. Their bodies may be tired due to fighting cancer or other illnesses. They might even be suffering from depression. Regardless of the reason, consistent lethargy in children is not normal. This is also true when a child seems to have an illness or infection that lingers or frequently returns.
If there is no clear diagnosis or explanation for their sickness, it could be pointing to a body that is already hard at work fighting against cancer.
Frequent Headaches
While headaches are often benign, some can be crippling. Migraines in children are serious, particularly if they cause vomiting. Even though cancer is an unlikely explanation, seek treatment for their headaches to improve their quality of life. It’s also important to note that headaches, if indicating cancer, do not necessarily point to brain cancer. Other conditions, like leukemia, can cause migraines as well.
Different kinds of cancer present different symptoms. As parents, we must be diligent in observing our children and their health. Sudden changes in function, physical condition, or mood can indicate problems. Again, children may not notice or know how to convey how they are feeling. Take their ailments seriously and schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional if you suspect a problem.