• 30
  Sep

When people hear the word cancer, they often imagine it as one disease that affects both adults and children in a similar way. However, childhood cancers are not simply “smaller versions” of adult cancers. They are biologically, emotionally, and socially distinct, requiring specialized approaches in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.

As Dr. Rahul Kulkarni, Best Medical Oncologist in Pune, emphasizes—understanding these differences is vital to ensure children receive the right treatment at the right time.

1. Biological Differences

Childhood cancers often arise from different tissues than adult cancers.

• Children: Most cancers are blood cancers (like leukemia), brain tumors, or embryonal tumors (arising from developing tissues).
• Adults: Most cancers result from lifestyle factors and involve organs such as lungs, breast, colon, or prostate.

Children’s cancers also tend to grow and spread faster, which makes early detection and prompt treatment crucial.

2. Causes and Risk Factors

Unlike adult cancers, which are often linked to smoking, diet, or environmental exposure, childhood cancers usually occur due to genetic changes or random mutations during development. This means prevention strategies differ significantly.

3. Treatment Approach

Treating children is not just about adjusting doses of adult therapies.

• Children’s bodies metabolize drugs differently.
• Radiation can have long-term effects on growth and development.
• Surgical approaches need to account for growing organs and tissues.

This is why pediatric oncology requires a multidisciplinary team and individualized treatment plans—something Dr. Rahul Kulkarni, Best Medical Oncologist in Pune, strongly advocates.

4. Survivorship and Long-Term Care

Thanks to advancements in medicine, survival rates in childhood cancer have improved dramatically. But survivorship comes with its own challenges:

• Learning difficulties after brain tumor treatment
• Heart or lung issues from chemotherapy
• Emotional and social challenges in reintegration

Long-term follow-up care is essential, as a child’s journey doesn’t end with remission.

5. Emotional and Family Impact

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family is affected. Parents face anxiety and uncertainty, siblings may feel neglected, and the child may struggle with isolation. Holistic care—including counseling and support systems—is as important as medical treatment.

Conclusion

Childhood cancer is not just a “small adult cancer.” It requires unique medical expertise, a compassionate approach, and a strong support system for both the child and family. With the guidance of experts like Dr. Rahul Kulkarni, Best Medical Oncologist in Pune, children battling cancer can receive the best chance at recovery and a healthy future.

FAQs

Q1: What are the most common childhood cancers?
Leukemia, brain tumors, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms’ tumor are among the most common.

Q2: Can childhood cancers be prevented?
Unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers cannot be prevented since they are not caused by lifestyle factors.

Q3: Are treatments for childhood cancers successful?
Yes. With modern therapies, survival rates for many childhood cancers are 70–90%, though long-term care is critical.

Q4: How do families cope with a child’s cancer diagnosis?
Support groups, counseling, and guidance from specialists like Dr. Rahul Kulkarni, Best  Medical Oncologist in Pune, can make the journey more manageable.

Q5: Do children experience side effects differently than adults?
Yes. Children may recover faster from short-term effects but are more vulnerable to long-term developmental impacts.