Pediatric cancer statistics show that only accidental deaths surpass cancer deaths as leading causes of fatalities for children under the age of 15 years. These numbers are often enough to make parents and caregivers wary. Cancer statistics show that the most common types of pediatric cancer include leukemia, brain and nervous system cancers, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, and lymphomas. Many of these diseases show signs in children that are similar to other common childhood ailments such as the flu and other viruses, making it sometimes more difficult to quickly recognize the signs. However, there are 7 common symptoms of pediatric cancer for which caregivers can be aware, especially when the duration, severity, and progression of these symptoms are abnormal.

1. Fever of an unknown origin

Children get fevers quite easily, often accompanied by runny noses, coughs, or vomiting and diarrhea. However, when fevers come and go in children without any clear underlying cause it can be the sign of something more severe going on in the body. Unexplained fevers are typical symptoms of pediatric leukemia, which cancer statistics from the American Cancer Society show is the most common pediatric cancer. Other childhood cancers that also sometimes present with fevers include Wilms tumor and lymphomas.

2. Bone and joint pain

Children are typically very active individuals, but when typical activity levels are too painful for them it can be a symptom of something more. The cause of the pain is often the growth of cancerous cells in the bone marrow due to leukemia. Neuroblastoma, shown in cancers statistics to cause 7% of pediatric cancer cases, can also cause pain within various points of the body.

3. Nausea with or without unintended weight loss

In general healthy children continue to grow and gain weight throughout much of their early childhood. However, when a child is consistently nauseous, perhaps with vomiting or diarrhea, and possibly resulting in unintended weight loss this is often a symptom of a serious condition. Leukemia, brain and nervous system cancers, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, and lymphomas all might present with one or more of these digestive symptoms.

4. A mass or unusual swelling

Pediatric cancer statistics show that lymphomas are one of the most common pediatric cancers, and they often present with an enlargement of a node in the neck, armpit, or even groin. Other cancers, such as Wilms tumors (shown by cancer statistics to account for 5% of pediatric cancers), can be the causes of swelling, especially in the abdomen.

5. Excessive bleeding or bruising

Healthy children are active and will often fall during play, resulting in bruising. However, a child with a cancer such as leukemia might have excessing bleeding resulting in more bruising than normal.

6. Weakness and Fatigue

Any time a child is overly fatigued, especially for an extended period of time, it can indicate a health concern. Children with pediatric cancer often display some form of generalized weakness.

7. Headache, loss of balance, and other neurological changes

The statistics for pediatric cancer show that cancers of the brain and nervous system are the second most common forms of childhood cancers. It is fairly common for these to cause neurological changes, including changes in vision, loss of balance, and significant headaches.

It is important to understand the clear symptoms and observe them closely. Moreover, it’s advisable to visit a specialist without any delay. Nothing is more important than your child’s health and there’s no wisdom in wasting time trying to evaluate the symptoms yourself when you have doctors to do so. Click here for more insight about childhood cancer statistics, and answers to FAQ’s about childhood cancer.