A Guide To Common Childhood Cancers

Osteosarcoma

This is a type of cancer that starts growing from the bones, and often originates during puberty when a child is having a growth spurt. This type of cancer often has few symptoms, so children may feel and look perfectly healthy. The only potential sign is swelling near a bone, pain in a bone or joint, or a bone breaking far too easily. Osteosarcoma frequently happens in the limbs, and for a long time, the recommended treatment was amputation. However, recent advancements have resulted in surgeries that remove the cancerous portion of the bone without having to remove the entire arm or leg. Chemotherapy may be necessary both before and after surgery. Before surgery, it assists in shrinking the tumor to a more manageable size, and afterward, it kills any lingering cancerous cells.

Continue reading to learn about the childhood cancers affecting the brain and spine.