12 July 2025

Types of Cancer in Children

Cancer is a dangerous disease that can affect anyone, including children. The exact cause of cancer in children is still unknown.

Therefore, parents are advised to increase awareness of the types of cancer that commonly occur in children along with their symptoms as an early detection effort. Cancer symptoms detected earlier and treated as soon as possible can certainly increase the chances of recovery for the patient.

Types of Childhood Cancer:

1. Leukemia
   Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. Leukemia itself is cancer of the white blood cells, which consists of several types, such as:
     - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
     - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
     - Acute myeloid leukemia
     - Chronic myeloid leukemia
   The most common types of leukemia affecting children are acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. This type of cancer in children can be identified by several symptoms such as:
     - Fussy, weak, and easily fatigued
     - Decreased appetite
     - Drastic weight loss
     - Asy bruising, bleeding, and nosebleeds
   Although it is a dangerous disease, the survival rate for leukemia patients is higher if it is detected early and treated promptly with the right treatment.

2. Retinoblastoma
   Retinoblastoma often occurs in infants and children under the age of 5. This cancer affects the eye, specifically the retina, which is the inner layer of the eye. Retinoblastoma causes malignant tumors to form in one or both eyes. Some symptoms of retinoblastoma include:
     - Crossed eyes
     - Inflammation of the eye tissue
     - Redness in the eye
     - White spots appearing in the middle of the eye
     - Enlarged eyeballs

3. Bone Cancer
   Bone cancer or osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that commonly occurs in children during their teenage years. Early symptoms usually include bone pain at night or during physical activity. As the disease progresses, symptoms will be accompanied by swelling in the affected bone area, which becomes painful when touched and interferes with the child's activities. Not only osteosarcoma, but Ewing's sarcoma is also a common type of bone cancer in children. Its symptoms resemble those of osteosarcoma.

4. Neuroblastoma
   Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer in children that affects the nervous system. This cancer often occurs in children under 5 years of age, with boys having a slightly higher risk of developing neuroblastoma. The symptoms caused by neuroblastoma vary depending on the affected organ. If it affects the spine, it can result in numbness, weakness, or even paralysis of the limbs. If it occurs in the abdominal area, it can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation, abdominal swelling, and weight loss. If the cancer affects the chest organs, children may experience shortness of breath accompanied by wheezing.

5. Lymphoma (Lymph Node Cancer)
   Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymph nodes. Lymphoma is more common in children under the age of 5. This cancer is divided into two types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some symptoms of lymphoma or lymph node cancer in children include:
     - Appearing lethargic throughout the day
     - Sweating at night
     - Decreased appetite
     - Fatigue
     - Weight loss

6. Brain Cancer
   Brain cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in children. The symptoms of brain cancer in children vary, depending on the location, size, severity, and development of cancer cells. Some common symptoms of brain cancer in children include nausea and vomiting, vision problems, dizziness, seizures, and weakness or paralysis of the limbs. These symptoms are often not noticed by children, so parents need to be more vigilant.

7. Hepatoblastoma
   Hepatoblastoma, or liver cancer, is another common type of cancer in children. This disease often affects children from infancy to three years old. Some common symptoms of hepatoblastoma include:
     - Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
     - Fever
     - Itchy skin
     - Enlarged veins in the abdomen visible through the skin
     - Abdominal swelling

Reviewed by: dr. Innosensius Ibnu Ishwara, M.K.K.

Source: Siloam Hospital Health Article

Photo: freepik.com