CANCER - SCHOOL NURSING 101

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LEUKEMIA
LYMPHOMA
NEPHROBLASTOMA, WILMS TUMOR
OSTEOSARCOMA
RETINOBLASTOMA
RHABDOMYOSARCOMA
SKIN CANCER; MELANOMA
CANCER AND SCHOOL
SUPPORT

What are the most common cancers in children and adolescents?

Overall for children and adolescents (ages 0 to 19) in the United States, the most common types of cancers are leukemias, which are cancers of the blood or bone marrow cells; brain and central nervous system tumors, including cancers of the spine; and lymphomas, which are cancers of the lymph nodes or glands). However, the types of cancer can vary by age. (HealthyChildren.org)

Types of Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children

Cancer.gov: Childhood Cancers

Top 5 Pediatric Cancers: The Warning Signs

MSKCC.org: Learn about Pediatric Cancers and Blood Disorders

Symptoms of Childhood Cancers

HealthyChildren.org: Childhood Cancer

Cancer Staging

National Cancer Institute: Childhood Cancers

Cancer.org: Childhood Cancer Facts

Educating Children and Teenagers (pdf)

Children with Cancer – A Guide for Parents

Number of Childhood Cancer Diagnoses Per Year

LEUKEMIA

Leukemias are cancers that start in cells that would normally develop into different types of blood cells. Most often, leukemia starts in early forms of white blood cells, but some leukemias start in other blood cell types. (American Cancer Society)

Cancer.org: What is Childhood Leukemia?

Cancer.org: Childhood Leukemia – Signs and Symptoms

Cancer.org ALL Treatment

Cancer.gov: AML Treatment

LLS.org: Types of Leukemia

LLS.org: Download Center

LLS: Learning and Living with Cancer – Advocating for your child’s educational needs

LYMPHOMA

The lymphatic system is the body’s disease-fighting network. It includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow. The main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (Mayo)

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma – Signs and Symptoms

NCI: Childhood Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

NCI: Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

Types of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children and Teens

Downloadable PDFs – Childhood Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children

LLS: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

LLS: The Lymphoma Guide

NEPHROBLASTOMA, WILMS TUMOR

Wilms tumor is a rare kidney cancer that is highly treatable. Most kids with Wilms tumor survive and go on to live normal, healthy lives.

Also known as nephroblastoma, Wilms tumor can affect both kidneys, but usually develops in just one. Doctors believe that the tumor begins to grow as a fetus develops in the womb, with some cells that should form into the kidneys instead forming a tumor. (Nemours KidsHealth)

MedlinePlus: Wilms Tumor

Cancer.org: Risk Factors for Wilms Tumor

If Your Child Has a Wilms Tumor

Wilms Tumor Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging

OSTEOSARCOMA

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones. Osteosarcoma is most often found in the long bones — more often the legs, but sometimes the arms — but it can start in any bone. In very rare instances, it occurs in soft tissue outside the bone.

Osteosarcoma tends to occur in teenagers and young adults, but it can also occur in younger children and older adults. (Mayo)

Bone Cancers

Pediatric Osteosarcoma

Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Bone Cancers

NCI: Bone Cancers

Harvard: Osteosarcoma

What is osteosarcoma?

RETINOBLASTOMA

Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that begins in the retina — the sensitive lining on the inside of your eye. Retinoblastoma most commonly affects young children, but can rarely occur in adults. (Mayo)

Cancer.org: What is retinoblastoma?

St. Jude: What is Retinoblastoma?

Cancer.net: Retinoblastoma – Childhood

Mayo Clinic: Retinoblastoma

RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma. Sarcoma is cancer of soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage), or bone. Rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in muscles that are attached to bones and that help the body move, but it may begin in many places in the body. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. (National Cancer Institute)

NCI: Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma

CHOP.edu: Rhabdomyosarcoma?

Cancer.org: Rhabdomyosarcoma

Stanford Children’s: Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children

What is Rhabdomyosarcoma?

SKIN CANCER; MELANOMA

Skin cancer — the abnormal growth of skin cells — most often develops on skin exposed to the sun. But this common form of cancer can also occur on areas of the skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. (Mayo)