Role of Surgery in Pediatric Cancer: Types, Treatment And Road to Recovery

Hearing the term “cancer” immediately fills us with fear, and we come to the conclusion that it's life threatening.

Now, imagine the fear created in the minds of parents when they hear that their child has been diagnosed with cancer. Their whole world shatters. Childhood cancer makes up only 1% of global cancers and 2-3% of cancers in India, making it rarer than adult cancers but those numbers still raise concern.

Pediatric Cancer refers to cancer in children. The exact reason for the disease is unknown but studies suggest that they are mostly inherited, caused due to genetic changes, environmental exposure, lifestyle factors or chronic infections such as HIV. However, they are totally different from adult cancers. Most cancers in children are due to DNA mutation and genetic changes rather than lifestyle factors. Though childhood cancers are more aggressive and harder to detect than adult cancers but still respond to treatment better than adult cancers. Now that's good news. The treatment approach, including diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and recovery, differs significantly from adult cancer treatment.

Surgery is recommended when cancer is confined to one area and can be removed safely. It is prioritized when complications like bleeding and pressure on vital organs arise and lastly when the surgeon needs to locate the extent to which cancer can spread.

The two major types of surgeries performed are Curative and Palliative Surgery. Curative surgery is performed to entirely eliminate the cancer and achieve cure whereas Palliative surgery is performed when cure is not possible but to minimize the discomfort, complications and symptoms of cancers to let the child have a quality life.

Not all childhood cancers require surgery, but those that do include brain tumors, Wilms' tumor (kidney cancer), neuroblastoma (nerve cell cancer), rhabdomyosarcoma (muscle cancer), retinoblastoma (eye cancer), hepatoblastoma (liver cancer), bone cancer, and testicular cancer.

Post operative care is crucial to ensure proper recovery. Many children would be kept on chemotherapy and radiation even after the surgery to target remaining cancers. The child must be kept on medications to relieve pain and constant monitoring of signs of vital organs must be prioritized. Proper nutrition and hydration must be provided for the faster recovery along with physical activity. Any complications must be immediately addressed and constant follow ups is crucial.

Parents are the ones whom the child trusts and loves the most. They are the caregivers, so constant emotional support must be provided to the child by the parents for them to heal completely.

While childhood cancers are aggressive, they are highly treatable thanks to medical advancements. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, and recovery rates are increasing. Parents are often the first to notice symptoms, so it’s important to seek professional advice from a pediatric oncologist if any unusual signs arise for accurate treatment.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions