Types of Childhood Cancer

Also known as ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is a rapid growing type of leukemia in which an excessive amount of lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are present in the blood. It is the most common type of childhood cancer.

AML results in too many blood-forming cells as well, these immature cells never mature to develop either granulocytes (contain enzymes that digest microorganisms) or monocytes (ingest foreign objects).

CML is slow to progress but develops after an increase of myeloid cells, including cells with the Philadelphia chromosome.

Neuroblasts are immature nerve cells. When they fail to mature the rapidly reproduced cells form a mass most commonly near adrenal glands. Neuroblastoma is a leading cancer in infants and children under the age of 5.

Medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor originates in the cerebellum, or lower region of the brain, can spread to the spine and other areas of the body. It is the most common type of childhood brain tumor.

Ependymoma is a brain tumor that develops from a mass of ependymal cells lining the central canal of the spine as well as ventricle lining cells, these tumors can become enlarged and swell from blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluids.

Osteosarcoma is found in the ends of bones near joints and caused by an error in DNA that affects the growth of bones. It is the number one child cancer of the bone and found more often in male adolescents than females.

Ewing’s Sarcoma is a bone tumor found in the center of bones caused by chromosome abnormality.　

Wilms Tumor is cancer of the kidneys, a tumor can be found on one or both kidneys and is derived from abnormal kidney cells. 

Rabdomyosarcoma is cancer that develops from the cells that create skeletal muscles or striated muscle. Rhabdomyosarcoma can be found anywhere on the body.

Immature cells that resemble a 6 week old fetus’ cells cause embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, known as ERMS to preside in the head, neck, and genitourinary tract.

ARMS is found in older children in the trunk, arms, and legs areas; these muscle cells are comparable to a 10 week old fetus.                          

 Liver

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma comprises a body’s fight against infection. It is cancer derived from abnormal cells in the lymphatic system and the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells malignant, abnormal lymphocytes.

Non-Hodkin’s Lymphoma occurs when growth of lymphocytes is uncontrollable and causes cancer of the infection-fighting lymphatic system without the pressense of Reed-Sternberg cells. 

Eyes

1. Retinoblastoma