Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Although cancer is much less common in children than in adults, it can affect children of any age—from babies to teenagers. Childhood cancers are different from adult cancers and require specialised care. Over the years, there have been remarkable advances in childhood cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, and supportive care. Today, many treatment options are available, and every child's treatment is carefully planned according to their individual diagnosis and needs.

Childhood cancer is rare. Although it is uncommon, it does occur, and it is one of the important illnesses treated by pediatric specialists. Because childhood cancers are different from adult cancers, children are best treated by doctors and hospitals that specialise in caring for children with cancer.

The most common childhood cancers include: 1. Leukaemia (blood cancer) 2. Brain and spinal cord tumours 3. Lymphomas (Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma) 4. Neuroblastoma 5. Wilms tumour (kidney tumour) 6. Bone cancers, such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma 7. Soft tissue sarcomas, such as rhabdomyosarcoma 8. Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) 9. Liver tumours, such as hepatoblastoma 10. Germ cell tumours Each type of childhood cancer is different and requires an individualised treatment plan.

This is one of the first questions almost every parent asks. In most children, we do not know exactly why cancer develops. Unlike many adult cancers, childhood cancers are usually not related to diet, lifestyle, pollution, stress, or anything a child or parent did or did not do. They most often occur because of changes that happen by chance while cells are growing and dividing. One of the most important things for parents to know is that nothing you did—or did not do—caused your child's cancer.

Cancer develops because of changes in genes (DNA), but that does not always mean it is inherited. ● Genetic means there is a change in a person's genes. ● Hereditary means that the gene change has been passed from parent to child. Most childhood cancers are genetic but not hereditary, meaning they occur by chance and do not run in families. Only a small number of children have an inherited condition that increases their risk of developing cancer. If your child's doctors suspect an inherited condition, they may recommend genetic counselling or genetic testing.

Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent most childhood cancers. Because we usually do not know why they occur, there are no proven lifestyle changes or medicines that can prevent them. If a child develops cancer, early diagnosis and timely treatment offer the best opportunity for effective care.

Yes. Today, there are many effective treatment options available for childhood cancers, and treatment has advanced tremendously over the past few decades. Every child's cancer is unique. The treatment recommended for your child will depend on the type of cancer, where it is located, whether it has spread, and several other factors. Your treating team will explain the treatment plan, its goals, and what you can expect at each stage.

Depending on the type of cancer, treatment may include one or more of the following: ● Surgery ● Chemotherapy ● Radiation therapy ● Targeted therapy ● Immunotherapy ● Stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation Many children receive a combination of these treatments. Your child's healthcare team will work together to recommend the treatment plan that is most appropriate for your child.

Childhood cancers are different from adult cancers and require specialised knowledge and experience. A pediatric oncologist specialises in diagnosing and treating cancers in children. They work closely with a team of specialists—including pediatric cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, pediatric anaesthesiologists, intensivists, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and many others—to provide comprehensive care throughout your child's treatment.

Surgery is an important part of treating many childhood cancers. However, children are not simply small adults. Their bodies are still growing and developing, and they respond differently to surgery, anaesthesia, blood loss, pain, fluids, and medications. They also require specialised surgical techniques and equipment designed specifically for children. A pediatric cancer surgeon is specially trained to operate on infants, children, and adolescents with cancer. The goal is not only to remove the tumour safely but also to preserve normal organs, growth, function, and quality of life whenever possible.

Not every child with cancer needs chemotherapy. Whether chemotherapy is recommended depends on the type of cancer and the overall treatment plan. Some children receive chemotherapy before surgery, some after surgery, some alongside other treatments, while others may not need chemotherapy at all. Your child's doctors will explain why chemotherapy has been recommended in your child's particular situation.

Hearing that your child needs chemotherapy can be frightening. While chemotherapy can cause side effects, children often recover well between treatment cycles. Throughout treatment, your child's healthcare team will monitor them closely and provide medicines and supportive care to help prevent or manage side effects and keep them as comfortable as possible.

It depends on the medicines being used. Some chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, while others do not. If hair loss occurs, it is usually temporary, and hair almost always begins to grow back after treatment has been completed.

At present, there is no routinely recommended way to prevent hair loss in children receiving chemotherapy. Although scalp cooling is sometimes used in adults, it is not routinely recommended for children receiving cancer treatment. Your child's treating team will explain what to expect based on the medicines your child will receive.

A chemoport (also called an implantable port) is a small device placed under the skin and connected to a large vein. It allows chemotherapy, blood tests, blood transfusions, and other medicines to be given safely and comfortably while reducing the need for repeated needle pricks. For many children receiving long-term treatment, it makes treatment easier and more comfortable.

A PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is a long, thin tube inserted through a vein in the arm and positioned in a larger vein near the heart. It provides reliable access for chemotherapy, intravenous medicines, fluids, blood sampling, and other treatments over several weeks or months.

A Hickman catheter is another type of long-term central venous catheter. Unlike a chemoport, a small part of the catheter remains outside the body. It is commonly used when frequent access is needed for chemotherapy, blood tests, blood transfusions, or other treatments.

The choice depends on your child's age, diagnosis, the treatment being planned, how long treatment is expected to continue, and the type of medicines that need to be given. Your child's treating team will recommend the option that is safest and most suitable for your child.

Not always. Many children receive treatment without needing to stay overnight in the hospital. However, surgery, certain chemotherapy treatments, infections, or other medical conditions may require admission for a few days or longer. Your child's doctors will explain what to expect during each stage of treatment.

Good nutrition plays an important role in helping children cope with treatment and recover. During treatment, some children may experience a poor appetite, nausea, mouth ulcers, or changes in taste. Offering small, frequent, nutritious meals and encouraging adequate fluid intake can help. Depending on your child's condition and immunity, your doctor may advise avoiding certain foods. A pediatric dietitian can provide personalised dietary advice based on your child's treatment and nutritional needs.

Some vaccines may need to be postponed while your child is receiving chemotherapy or other cancer treatment because the immune system may be temporarily weakened. Your child's oncology team will advise you about which vaccines are safe, which should be delayed, and when routine vaccinations can be restarted after treatment.

Some cancer treatments may affect fertility later in life, while many do not. The risk depends on your child's age, the type of cancer, and the treatment being planned. If there is a possibility that fertility could be affected, your treating team will discuss this with you before treatment begins and explain whether fertility preservation options are available and appropriate.

One of the concerns many parents have is whether the cancer can return after treatment. The possibility of recurrence depends on the type of cancer and how it responds to treatment. Regular follow-up visits are an important part of care, allowing your child's doctors to monitor recovery, look for any signs of recurrence, and identify any long-term effects of treatment.

Completing treatment is an important milestone, but your child's care does not end there. Regular follow-up visits help monitor your child's growth and development, assess recovery, identify and manage any long-term effects of treatment, and provide continued support as your child returns to school, sports, and everyday activities. As your child continues to do well, these visits usually become less frequent over time.