Commentary,  J Clin Exp Oncol Vol: 13 Issue: 4

Enhancing the Role of Pediatric Oncology in the Treatment of Childhood Cancer

Nickson Carlos^*

¹Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, United States of America

*Corresponding Author: Nickson Carlos,
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, United States of America
E-mail: nickson_carlos@uab11.edu

Received date: 21 July, 2024, Manuscript No. JCEOG-24-148882;

Editor assigned date: 23 July, 2024, PreQC No. JCEOG-24-148882 (PQ);

Reviewed date: 06 August, 2024, QC No. JCEOG-24-148882;

Revised date: 13 August, 2024, Manuscript No. JCEOG-24-148882 (R);

Published date: 20 August, 2024, DOI: 10.4172/2324-9110.1000425

Citation: Carlos N (2024) Enhancing the Role of Pediatric Oncology in the Treatment of Childhood Cancer. J Clin Exp Oncol 13:2.

Description

Pediatric oncology, the branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating cancers in children, plays a pivotal role in the health and survival of young cancer patients. While cancer is less common in children than in adults, it remains one of the leading causes of death among children worldwide. Despite its rarity, childhood cancer presents unique challenges in diagnosis, treatment and long-term survivorship. Advances in pediatric oncology have significantly improved survival rates, but continued innovation and comprehensive care are needed to address the complexity of childhood cancer. Pediatric oncology is distinct from adult oncology in many ways. Childhood cancers typically differ in type, behavior and response to treatment compared to adult cancers. While cancers in adults often arise due to lifestyle factors or long-term environmental exposures, pediatric cancers are more often linked to genetic predispositions or developmental issues in rapidly growing cells. Because of these differences, pediatric oncology requires specialized expertise in understanding and treating these specific cancer types.

The field encompasses not only the treatment of common childhood cancers like leukemia, brain tumors and neuroblastoma but also focuses on complete care addressing the physical, emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. Pediatric oncologists work closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide individualized treatment that considers the child’s age, growth potential and long-term quality of life. Leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, is the most common form of childhood cancer. It is divided into two main types; Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Treatment often involves chemotherapy, which has greatly improved survival rates, particularly for ALL, with long-term survival exceeding 85% in many cases. Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors are the second most common form of childhood cancer.

These tumors vary widely in type and aggressiveness. Medulloblastoma, a fast-growing brain tumor, is among the most frequent. Treatment for brain tumors typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, with efforts to minimize longterm cognitive or developmental impacts. Neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells, commonly affects infants and young children. Treatment varies depending on the stage of the disease but may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and in some cases, stem cell transplants. Wilms tumor is a rare kidney cancer that usually affects children under the age of five. It has a high survival rate, especially when detected early. Surgery, often followed by chemotherapy or radiation is the primary treatment. Lymphomas, including Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, affect the immune system. These cancers are highly treatable, especially with early detection and typically require chemotherapy and radiation. Over the past several decades, advances in pediatric oncology have revolutionized the treatment of childhood cancers.

The rise of personalized medicine has allowed pediatric oncologists to modify treatments based on the genetic makeup of the tumor. Molecular profiling of cancers enables doctors to target specific mutations or abnormalities, often improving the effectiveness of treatment while reducing side effects. For example, targeted therapies that inhibit specific pathways involved in cancer growth have shown potential in treating certain childhood cancers. Immunotherapy has emerged as a potential new frontier in pediatric oncology. By utilizing the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, immunotherapies such as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have shown remarkable success in treating cancers like leukemia that do not respond well to traditional therapies. These therapies have proven especially valuable for children with relapsed or refractory cancers, providing new hope for cure and long-term survival.

Advancements in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures, have improved the safety and outcomes of surgeries for childhood cancer. Robotic-assisted surgeries and image-guided techniques enable pediatric surgeons to remove tumors with greater precision, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and reducing recovery times. Proton beam therapy, a type of radiation treatment, has become an important tool in pediatric oncology. Unlike traditional radiation, which can damage healthy tissue, proton therapy delivers a more targeted dose of radiation to the tumor, sparing surrounding organs and tissues. This is particularly beneficial for children, whose bodies are still developing and are more sensitive to the long-term effects of radiation.

The psychological effects of a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for both children and their families. Pediatric oncology teams often include psychologists, social workers and child life specialists who provide support to help children manage with the stress, anxiety and trauma of treatment. Play therapy, counseling and educational support are essential components of this care. As survival rates for childhood cancer have improved, so has the focus on survivorship care. Many pediatric cancer survivors experience longterm side effects from treatment including growth delays, cognitive impairments and increased risk of secondary cancers. Pediatric oncologists work closely with patients and families to monitor for these late effects and to provide ongoing care, rehabilitation and support as survivors transition into adulthood.

Conclusion

Pediatric oncology has made significant progress in the treatment of childhood cancers with advances in personalized medicine, immunotherapy and minimally invasive surgery improving both survival rates and quality of life for young patients. However, there is still more work to be done to reduce treatment toxicity, expand access to care and support long-term survivorship. By continuing to innovate and enhance the role of pediatric oncology one can provide children with cancer the best possible chance for a healthy full life.