Cancer News: Childhood
Radiation can pose bigger cancer risk for children
Infants and children can be at higher risk than adults of developing some cancers when exposed to radiation, for example from nuclear accidents, a U.N. scientific report said on Friday.
Double-pronged attack could treat common children’s cancer
A dual-pronged strategy using two experimental cancer drugs together could successfully treat a childhood cancer by inhibiting tumour growth and blocking off the escape routes it uses to become resistant to treatment, finds a new study.
Next-generation sequencing test identified potential targets for paediatric cancer treatments
A comprehensive genomic profiling test using next-generation sequencing has identified genomic alterations in more than half of paediatric cancer samples tested that would give clinicians potential targets on which to base individualized treatment decisions.
IVF conception not linked to increased childhood cancer risk
Children conceived using In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and similar techniques have no increased overall risk of cancer in childhood, according to a Cancer Research UK study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Parents can check their kids for retinoblastoma using digital photography
Can parents use digital cameras and smart phones to potentially screen their children for the most common form of pediatric eye cancer? Baylor University and Harvard Medical School researchers believe so.
Common genetic pathway could be conduit to pediatric tumor treatment
Investigators at Johns Hopkins have found a known genetic pathway to be active in many difficult-to-treat pediatric brain tumors called low-grade gliomas, potentially offering a new target for the treatment of these cancers.
Childhood cancer treatment takes toll on hearts of survivors
Cancer treatment takes a toll on the hearts of child survivors, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.
Adult survivors of childhood cancer at risk of early aging
Young adults who survived childhood cancer are more likely than their peers to be frail, according to a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital study, which reported the condition is more common among female survivors than women decades older. The research appears in the current edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Childhood cancer: 'Field of gold' scan cuts radiation risk
A new method for scanning children's livers for tumours could prevent them being exposed to unnecessary radiation, according to doctors in London.
Researcher studies pediatric brain stem tumors
A new study entitled, "Comparative Multidimensional Molecular Analyses of Pediatric Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Reveals Distinct Molecular Subtypes" found, for the first time, two distinct subtypes in pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). It was published online in Acta Neuropathologica, a leading journal on pathology and pathogenesis of neurological disease.
Gene sequencing project finds drugs with promise for treating childhood tumor
Rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells were killed through a process called "oxidative stress", in a lab environment. This may improve chemotherapy effectiveness against this aggressive cancer.
Personalizing childhood cancer treatments
Pediatric cancers will receive increased focus for personalization via genomic profiling, following rapid advances in adult tumors.
Improved treatment for childhood cancer through groundbreaking discovery
Treatment for an aggressive childhood brain tumor (known as ETMR/ETANTR) may become more effective, based on the latest pediatric cancer research.
Possible weapons against pediatric soft tissue tumor identified
Rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells in a lab were killed by drugs which enhance a process called oxidative stress and can possibly improve chemotherapy effectiveness.
Childhood cancer survivors suffer long-term symptoms affecting quality of life
70% of childhood cancer survivors experience late effects from their disease and treatment 30 years after their diagnosis, significantly affecting their quality of life.
Possible new Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) treatments
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is especially common among children and very difficult to treat. Researchers have now discovered completely new targets for potential treatment of such blood cancers.
Childhood cancer survivors suffer symptoms in adulthood
More children are surviving cancer than ever before thanks to advances in treatment and technology. However, for about 70% of childhood cancer survivors, the effect of the disease and treatment 30 years later is sufficient to significantly affect their quality of life.
Future neuroblastoma treatment may be based on natural substance
Research on neuroblastoma cells showed a substance (ellagic acid, found in red berries and nuts for instance) may be the basis for future treatment for this childhood cancer.
Childhood leukemia linked to immune cell development
Pediatric leukemia may be related to a cellular mechanism which, instead of fighting infection, rearranges DNA and may cause cancer.
Childhood cancer survivors receive inadequate care as adults
Adults who have survived pediatric cancer need ongoing care, which many internists feel not well-equipped to provide, as shown by a recent study.
Childhood cancer diagnoses estimated at 175,000 annually
A pediatric cancer review reports 175,000 annual worldwide diagnoses for children up to 15 years of age. Also, 1 in 285 will receive the diagnosis before the age of 20.
Scanning for childhood cancer may become radiation-free
An MRI-based method may allow tumor detection without exposing young patients to radiation. This would reduce secondary cancer risk later in their lives.
Simple blood test may improve neuroblastoma treatment
A simple test may more quickly identify best treatment for children with an aggressive form of neuroblastoma, a cancer that’s particularly hard-to-treat.
Childhood cancer survivors have 5 times the risk of serious diseases
As adult survivors of childhood cancer age, their overall health risks are much higher than their siblings, according to the world's largest such study.
Hope for children with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Hopeful news for children with brain cancer, where surgery is not an option, current chemotherapy is ineffective and relief from focal radiation is temporary.
Childhood cancer: radiotherapy treatment improvements
A pediatric radiation therapy treatment has been demonstrated as more effective to accurately treat tumors while helping spare the child's healthy organs.
Childhood cancer survivors' risk of heart disease can be reduced
The risk of cardiovascular disease for childhood cancer survivors is increased. A hopeful new study found that a healthy lifestyle can help lower that risk.