Childhood Cancer Day: Mangaluru doctors diagnosed 430 cancer cases in 7 years

In the last seven years, doctors in and around Mangaluru diagnosed around 430 cases of childhood cancers. For the past three years, doctors have been seeing around 100 children with cancers every year.

According to Dr Harsha Prasad L, Pediatric Hemato Oncologist at KMC Hospital in Mangaluru, out of total cases, 232 cases (54%) were diagnosed to have blood cancers, 52 children (12%) were diagnosed to have abdominal malignancy (Neuroblastoma, Wilms’ tumour or Hepatoblastoma), 43 children (10%) with Lymphomas, 35 patients with a brain tumour (12%), 33 (7%) with bony cancers, and the remaining 5% belong to other rare types of cancers.

"The incidence pattern of childhood cancers is different as half of them are diagnosed with acute Leukaemia whereas the data from the western world shows acute leukaemia contributes to 30% of the total numbers", said Prasad.

"The survival of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is one the best in India which has an event-free survival of 85% at 3 years. All these cases belonged to the age group of 1 to 18 years and come from the regions of Mangaluru, Madikeri, Uttara Kannada, Kasargod, Kannur, etc", he added.

Prasad said that childhood is a period of desires, likes and dreams of endless possibilities. For those children diagnosed with cancer, it is a battle for and with life. Children face it with unflinching courage and an acceptance of their circumstances that humbles us. Around 40,000 (0-16 years) in India are diagnosed with cancers every year.

The symptoms of cancer in children depends on the type of cancer and where it is in the body. Often these symptoms are quite vague, varied and usually caused by something other than cancer.

Hence on many occasions, one would end up visiting the doctors a few time before the diagnosis of cancer. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer as earlier it is diagnosed, the more successful treatment might be, he added.

Prasad said due to lack of awareness, delay in diagnosis, inadequate treatment facilities and high cost of treatment in India, around 50%-60% of children die of cancer.

When it comes to childhood cancers, early diagnosis is a challenge as the signs and symptoms vary from each patient. Due to this reason, many of the childhood cancer cases are presented in the advanced stages, he felt.

But, some of the early signs can be sudden weight loss, regular vomiting, unexplained pains in joints, bones, legs, etc., and regular infections. Hence, it becomes imperative that parents need to keep an eye out for these symptoms for early diagnosis which is very crucial in treating cancer, he advised.

Prasad said the chances of survival are very high if the patient is diagnosed early and is provided with timely treatment.