Childhood Cancer

The ProMedica Alan W. and Deborah J. Brass Children's Cancer Center is a member of the National Children's Oncology Group. This group is the world's largest organization dedicated to pediatric cancer research. With this resource, your child will have access to the latest treatments and clinical trials.

We can offer the most advanced cancer technology available today. This includes the latest diagnostic tools, radiation therapy and genetic testing.

We believe in providing complete cancer care close to home. Our cancer services include more than just diagnosis and treatment. We also offer:

• Genetic testing and counseling.
• Healing care.
• Medicine management counseling.
• Rehabilitation services.
• Survivorship program.

Your child's cancer care team features a diverse group of experts. It includes highly skilled medical, surgical and radiation oncologists. Each expert has received special training and is dedicated to helping your child have the best outcome.

All of our nurses have also received pediatric chemotherapy and biotherapy certifications from the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON).

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

There are many different kinds of brain and spinal cord tumors. Brain tumors tend to be more common than spine tumors.

Childhood brain tumors usually start in the lower part of the brain.

Brain and spine tumor symptoms may include:

• Blurred or double vision.
• Clumsiness.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Stumbling or falling.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a blood and bone marrow cancer. It’s the most common type of childhood cancer.

Leukemia symptoms may include:

• Bleeding or bruising.
• Bone and joint pain.
• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Pale skin.
• Weakness.
• Weight loss.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma starts in immune system cells. These cells are called lymphocytes. Lymphomas usually grow in the lymph nodes or parts of the lymph system, such as the tonsils or thymus gland.

Lymphoma can sometimes travel to the bone marrow or other organs. This is because the lymph system carries fluid all through the body.

There are two types of childhood lymphoma. The type depends on which kind of lymphocyte is affected by the cancer. Each type of lymphoma has a different treatment.

• Hodgkin lymphoma. This type of lymphoma is usually found in teenagers. Sometimes it can be found in children under five.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This type of lymphoma grows quickly. However, it responds well to treatment. It’s usually diagnosed in young children, but rarely before age three.

Common lymphoma symptoms may include:

• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Sweating.
• Swollen glands or lumps in the armpits, neck or groin.
• Weight loss.

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is cancer that affects the nerve cells. It usually affects infants and young children because it starts forming before birth in the fetus’ or embryo’s nerve cells.

Symptoms of neuroblastoma may include:

• Bone pain.
• Fever.
• Swelling or a lump around the stomach.

Wilms Tumor

A Wilms tumor starts in one of the kidneys. This cancer usually affects children between ages three and four.

Common Wilms tumor symptoms may include:

• Fever.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea.
• Pain.
• Swelling or a lump around the stomach.

While doctors don’t know exactly what causes childhood cancer, risk factors may include:

• Environmental factors, such as exposure to radiation.
• Genetic changes.
• Personal or family history of cancer.

At ProMedica, we have access to advanced testing that can diagnose childhood cancer. These tools help us determine a precise diagnosis, which means we can find the most effective treatment for your child.

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Computed tomography (CT scan).
• Laboratory tests and pathology.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Positron emission tomography (PET).
• Ultrasound.

At ProMedica, your child will receive personalized cancer treatment at the Alan W. and Deborah J. Brass Children’s Cancer Center. The Cancer Center is located at the ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital.

Our specialists understand that every child is unique and every diagnosis is different. That’s why we tailor treatment to fit your child’s specific needs.

Treatment for childhood cancer may include:

• Chemotherapy. This treatment is given in the veins (intravenously). It prevents cancer cells from growing by killing the cells or stopping the cells from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery. This treatment is also used if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
• Radiation therapy. This treatment uses high-energy X-rays to shrink and kill cancer cells. It’s usually given after surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.

Cancer affects more than just the patient, it affects the whole family. If you're unsure of telling your kids about a cancer diagnosis, remember that including kids in tough conversations can build trust and create strong relationships. Plus, the news is often best coming from you.

Here are some tips for talking with your kids about cancer:

• Allow yourself to express emotion in front of your kids. Try not to lose control but crying or showing uncertainty is OK.
• Choose who you'd like to be there during the discussion. This may include your spouse, a supportive family member or close family friend.
• Find a quiet time when you won't be interrupted.
• If you don't know the answer to a question, it's OK to say, “I don't know, but I'll find the answer.”
• Make sure your children understand cancer is not contagious.
• Prepare yourself for a range of emotions from your kids. All emotions are OK.
• Reassure your children that cancer is very rare. It's not likely another child or parent will also get cancer.
• Remember that you don't have to cover everything all at one time. Tell your kids you can talk anytime.

Your child may also ask whether the person will die from cancer. This is a hard question to answer. Find a message that fits your family, such as:

• Let's focus on what we do know right now. As soon as we know more, we'll share it with you.
• Sometimes people die from cancer. But we don't expect that and neither does the doctor.
• The doctors say the outlook is very good. We will keep believing that until new information leads us to believe something else.
• There's no way to know the outcome right now. We'll know more when we get further into treatment.
• We don't know a lot about the cancer right now. But we're going to work with doctors to help our loved one get better.