9-25-07

Childhood Cancer

Because of improved treatment methods, outcomes for childhood cancer patients have improved over the past 30 years.

About 2,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.  Childhood cancer was once thought to be untreatable, but today most children who have cancer can overcome it.  Dr. Gregory Brandt, associate professor and chair of the pediatric oncology division at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, describes various types of childhood cancer.

SOUND BITE: “ . . . the most common cancer in children is a cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  That is our number one diagnosis.  The second category of tumors that children suffer from are the brain tumors.  There can be a variety of different kinds of brain tumors from malignant to benign.”

Dr. Brandt, who is also one of the medical specialists of St. John’s Children’s Hospital, says the most common age group of children who are diagnosed with leukemia are preschool and elementary school ages.  Many of his patients are treated through national clinical trials, which means they have access to medications that may have fewer side effects as well as medications which can improve survival rates.

SOUND BITE:   “The survival rate in general for pediatric cancers is probably in the range of 60 to 70 percent.  It is going to be different for each particular kind that we talk about.  The most common tumor that we deal with, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, again, depending upon risk factors, survival is anywhere from 70 to 95 percent.” 

Dr. Brandt says today most children with cancer can have a normal life – they can go to school and participate in childhood activities.  Any child displaying symptoms of unusual bleeding or bruising should be seen by their pediatrician or primary care physician, who may refer them to a pediatric oncologist for further evaluation and possible treatment.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.