Paediatric Cancer Programme

Paediatric Cancer Treatment in Delhi

We are one of the few cancer centres in the country to offer comprehensive Paediatric Cancer programme from diagnostic evaluation, therapy plans to extensive psychological and social support.

With specialities such as Paediatric Oncology, Haematology, Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplant all under one roof, we strive to provide patients with the best possible treatment plans.

The hospital has one of the largest Bone Marrow Transplant Centre in Asia, offering autologous and allogeneic transplants supported by a team of nationally and internationally trained experts, treating a range of diseases pertaining to Haematology, Oncology and Immunology.

What Is Paediatric Cancer?

Paediatric Cancer can occur anywhere in their body, including the lymphatic system, blood, kidneys, brain, spinal cord (central nervous system; CNS), other organs and tissues.
The different types of cancers in children are:

Leukaemia
Brain and Spinal Cord Tumours
Neuroblastoma
Wilm’s Tumour
Lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Retinoblastoma
Bone Cancer (including Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma)

What Are The Indications For Paediatric Cancer?

Signs and symptoms of Paediatric Cancer are:

Continuous unintended weight loss
Headaches with early morning vomiting
Increased swelling in the joints, bones, back, or legs with persistent pain
Lump or mass formation especially in the neck, abdomen, chest, pelvis, or armpits
Development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash
Constant, persistent or frequent infections
A whitish colour formation behind the pupil
Nausea that persists
Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness in skin
Eye or vision changes
Recurring or persistent fevers without any infection

What Are The Different Stages Of Paediatric Cancer?

Stage I - Cancer tumour is small and is limited to the specific area of the body.
Stage II or III - The tumour has spread into the nearby parts of its origin.
Stage IV - Cancer is large and has reached a severe stage. It may spread to other body parts.

How Is Paediatric Cancer Diagnosed?

Doctors conduct many tests to diagnose cancer and ascertain if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Paediatric cancer is often diagnosed using the following tests:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
X-ray
Biopsy
Screening Test
Staging Tests

What Are The Possible Treatments For Paediatric Cancer?

There are varied treatment options to remove or cure cancer tissues. These may include surgical processes, therapies or a combination of both.

Surgical Process: A doctor aims to remove the tumour and some of the tissue that is in the surrounding areas where the cancer may have spread.
Radiation Therapy: Involves the use of high-energy waves to kill cancer cells.
Chemo Therapy: Involves the use of powerful medicines to kill cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy: Targets cancer specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival.
Immunotherapy: Involves the use of medicines that prompt the body's immune system or natural defenses to destroy cancer.
Stem-cell Transplantation: Damaged bone marrow is restored using Stem-cell Transplantation, following high-dose Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy.

A patient might get Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, or Targeted Therapy along with surgery or radiation. This approach will help in killing the residual cancer cells, during other forms of treatment.

What Are The Precautions One Must Take To Avoid Paediatric Cancer?

Stop Passive Smoking: Avoid usage of tobacco / cigarettes around your children.
Sunburn Protection: Avoid their exposure to sunburns.
Nutritious Diet: Provide them a healthy diet with lots of fibre, fruits and vegetables and avoid junk food and processed meats.
Encourage Exercise: Make your children physically active- exercising stabilises the levels of estrogen and insulin hormones.
Balance Body Weight: Maintaina healthy body weight of your children, because hormones produced by fatty tissues influence the way cells grow.
Limit Exposure to Chemicals: Do not allow them to get exposed to any kind of harmful chemicals.
Maintain a Strong Immune System: Avoid exposure to infections that can cause chronic inflammation thereby suppressing the immune system.

Are There Any Risk Factors Involved?

Some of the major factors that lead to Paediatric Cancer are:

Medical Conditions: certain conditions such as Down’s syndrome can increase a child's risk of developing some types of cancers.
Genetic: the retinoblastoma gene, also known as the RB1 gene during birth causes a rare type of Eye Cancer.
Problems With Development in The Womb: cancers such as Wilm’s tumours develop in the womb due to immature cells that can form into a Cancerous Tumour.
Exposure to Infections: Exposure to infection such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) can cause a glandular fever which is very unpleasant and can contribute to the development of cancers such as Hodgkin Lymphoma and Burkitt’s Lymphoma.
Exposure to Radiation: Exposure to Radiation Therapy or any radioactive gas can cause risk of developing Paediatric Cancer.
Previous Cancer Treatments: Past treatments with Chemotherapy also causes a high risk of developing cancers such as Acute Leukaemia at a later age.