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Paediatric cancer is considered challenging, but its treatment has become a reality over time! Most paediatric cancers are now curable. At Manipal Hospitals, we have a team of paediatric oncologists coupled with a multidisciplinary care team and access to sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, which helps us provide the best treatments. We believe paediatric cancer treatment should encompass not solely the disease's treatment but also psychological and emotional support for the kid and family.
For optimal recovery, choosing the best oncologists for paediatric care is crucial. At Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, we strive to deliver children with exceptional cancer treatment that is personalized for their unique needs and those of their families. Diagnoses, treatments, and continuous follow-up care are all part of the comprehensive care our paediatric oncologists are committed to offering. We acknowledge the physical and emotional challenges a cancer diagnosis brings and support the families in providing caring support throughout the illness. Consult our paediatric cancer experts in Bangalore for diagnosis and treatment o childhood cancers.
Treatments and Procedures
Paediatric Haematology
Paediatric haematology deals with treating and diagnosing blood-related disorders and cancer in children. This speciality entails managing various disorders and tumours, such as anaemia, bleeding disorders, clotting disorders, immune system disorders, and various types of childhood cancers affecting the blood or bone marrow, such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
Benign/Non-Cancerous
Medication and dietary modifications typically treat inherited blood problems and benign hematologic disorders. When a blood component is not functioning correctly, benign hematologic diseases in children can develop.
Anaemia
Anaemia occurs when the body fails to produce enough red blood cells to meet the demand. After diagnosis, your child’s doctor can suggest various therapy choices. Anaemia can be caused by iron deficiency.
Treatment options may include dietary changes, iron supplements, medication, or blood transfusions, depending on the severity and cause of anaemia. Iron supplements may be prescribed. However, iron supplements are not provided to children who do not have iron deficiency. Anaemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency may be treated with shots or pills.
Thalassemia/Sickle Cell Anaemia
The sickle cell beta-thalassemia hereditary disorder affects haemoglobin. Children with the condition have various changes to each copy of the haemoglobin gene.
Treatment: For minor cases of thalassemia, medicines are not required. Thalassemia in its more severe variants frequently necessitates blood transfusions, folic acid dietary supplements, medication, or a blood and bone marrow stem cell transplant.
Bleeding Disorders
Bleeding disorders or haemophilia are conditions characterised by excessive or abnormal bleeding and bruising. These disorders range from pretty common problems to very unusual ones.
Treatment: Bleeding disorders can be managed with three main methods: replacement therapy, medicine, and risk reduction. Nasal sprays or topical medications may be used to treat bleeding conditions. Factor replacement therapy is a treatment option for haemophilia, and this entails putting factor concentrates under your skin and injecting them into your blood. Injections can stop or reduce excessive bleeding.
Immunodeficiency
Immunodeficiency can be of two types either acquired or congenital. Children who are born with this condition are categorised as congenital. When the condition develops in later stages of life is referred to as an acquired or secondary disorder. B and T cells are two types of white blood cells fighting antigen-based intruders. B cells produce antibodies that are particular to the sickness your body detects. When this cell production is hindered, it results in immunodeficiency.
Treatment: Primary immunodeficiency is treated by improving immune function, avoiding and treating infections, and addressing the underlying immunological disorder. A serious condition that requires treatment, such as cancer or an autoimmune problem, may occasionally be connected to a fundamental immunological disorder. Stem cell transplantation is curative in severe forms of immunodeficiency.
Bone Marrow Failure
When the bone marrow does not produce enough platelets, red blood cells, or white blood cells, the child can have bone marrow failure (BMF). It may be inherited or acquired, and bleeding, bruising, and weariness are the primary symptoms.
Treatment: Stem cell transplantation is for treating bone marrow failure. The bone marrow's capacity for regeneration is utilised in this method. A tissue-matched donor, typically a brother or sister or an unrelated donor, is sought out for an allogeneic transplant in which cells are obtained from the donor whose human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are a compatible match.
Low Platelets
Low blood platelet counts are a symptom of the disease thrombocytopenia. Blood cells that assist blood clots are called platelets (thrombocytes).
Treatment: Mild cases of thrombocytopenia may not require treatment, and treatment for those who need it depends on the underlying cause and the severity of their thrombocytopenia.
Paediatric Oncology
The curative approach to paediatric tumours differs from that of adult tumours. A specialist medical field called paediatric oncology has been devoted to treating cancer in young patients. Knowing that all this information is accessible and that numerous kinds of paediatric cancer can be successfully treated is crucial. The broad spectrum of cancers that are particularly widespread among children is unlike the ones that typically occur in adults. The primary emphasis of paediatric oncology is on diseases that affect young children, adolescents, and babies. Paediatric oncology physicians have received specialised training in caring for children and ensuring their comfort throughout treatment.
Solid Tumors
Tumours are not always malignant; "benign" is a tumour free of cancerous cells, and a malignant tumour contains cancerous cells. Solid tumours can appear in various locations.
Brain Tumour
Brain tumours are aberrant, cancerous, or non-cancerous growths that impact brain function. Numerous neurological problems may emerge from them. The symptoms vary based on a tumour’s size and location. The common symptoms include persistent headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, changes in vision, balance problems, etc.
Treatment: Depending on the tumour's stage, the patient's child will receive the medicine for a brain tumour. The medications can be radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.
Bone Tumour
Bone tumours originate when cells inside a bone divide uncontrolled, forming a lump or mass of aberrant tissue. Benign (non-malignant) bone tumours are predominantly found. Pain, tenderness, limited mobility, etc., are some of the visible symptoms.
Treatment: Treatment for bone tumours may involve surgery to remove and reconstruct the affected bone, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and in some cases, bone marrow transplantation.
Kidney or Liver Tumour
Tumours in the kidney, adrenal gland, or liver can be cancerous or non-cancerous, affecting the normal functioning of these organs and potentially spreading to other parts of the body.
Treatment: Treatment options for kidney, adrenal, and liver tumours include surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and in some instances, organ transplantation.
Muscle Tumour
Muscle tumours, also known as soft tissue sarcomas, develop in the body's soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and connective tissues, and can be cancerous or non-cancerous.
Treatment: Treatment for muscle tumours typically involves surgery to remove the tumour, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and in some cases, immunotherapy. After treatment, rehabilitation and physical therapy may also be necessary to restore function and mobility.
Blood Cancers
Various ailments that influence blood cells' formation and functioning are characterised as blood cancers. A few associated blood cancers that manifest in the bone marrow are Leukaemia, Lymphoma, and Sarcoma.
Leukaemia
Leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, leading to the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. Whether a blood cell develops into cancer and how quickly it grows determines the type of leukaemia. Leukaemia primarily affects individuals over 55 but is also the most prevalent malignancy in children under 15.
Treatment: Treatment for leukaemia may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation, tailored to the specific type and stage.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body's immune system. Enlarged lymph nodes, abnormal weight loss, persistent infections, fever, night sweats, etc., are the common symptoms.
Treatment: Treatment for lymphoma may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation, depending on the type, stage, and other factors.
Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a rare cancer that develops in soft tissues, such as muscles, fat, blood vessels, or bones. It can also occur in other body parts.
Treatment: Treatment for sarcoma often involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, based on the location, size, stage, and subtype of the sarcoma.
Histiocytic Disorder
A category of uncommon diseases known as histiocytic disorders is distinguished by excessive production of histiocytes, a particular type of white blood cell. It can result in tissue damage or the formation of tumours in different parts of the body.
Treatment: The doctor will check the nature of the diseases and severity to determine the course of treatment. Stem cell transplantation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or other methods are available.
Bone Marrow Transplant
A bone marrow transplant (hematopoietic stem cell transplant) is a medical procedure performed to treat certain types of diseases that affect the bone marrow or blood cells. This type of treatment is used to treat a variety of cancers, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and various non-cancerous disorders. Bone marrow transplantation involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. In this procedure, stem cells are collected from either the same patient (autologous transplant) or a compatible donor (allogeneic transplant). The donor can be a family member, an unrelated person, or umbilical cord blood from a newborn.
Before the transplant, the patient undergoes conditioning therapy, known as the initial stage of the procedure, which uses high-dose chemotherapy and occasionally radiation to eliminate diseased cells and weaken the immune system. After being infused into the patient's circulatory system, the extracted stem cells find their way to the marrow of the bone – called engraftment, where they help the patient's body produce new, healthy blood cells. During the recovery period, the patient is closely monitored and supportive care, including medications, transfusions, and antibiotics, is provided as needed. The success of a bone marrow transplant depends on various factors including the type of disease, the patient's overall health, the compatibility of the donor, and the risk of any complications.
Receive the Best Cancer Treatment for Your Kid!
The paediatric oncologists at Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur deliver world-class treatment to children via state-of-the-art technology. At Manipal, quality, patient-centred, scientifically-backed treatment techniques are employed. The latest medical technology enables Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur to provide the best paediatric cancer care to infants, children, and adolescents. A dedicated team of paediatric nurses for taking care of children augment the quality of care offered at Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur. Our compassionate doctors, nurses, and other staff make us the best tertiary care centre for children nationwide and worldwide.
Consult our paediatric cancer care hospital in Bangalore for diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers.
