Oncology Flashcards
What paediatric malignancys will present in children?
- Leukaemias (ALL>AML)
- Brain tumours
- Extracranial solid tumours
What are some genetic reasons for paediatric malignancy?
- Down’s Syndomre
- Fanconi
- BWS
- Li-Fraumeni Familial Cancer Syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis
What are some non-genetic reasons for paediatric malignancy?
Environment -Radiation -Infection Iatrogenic -Chemotherapy -Radiotherapy
What symptoms in children need immediate referral to oncology?
- Unexplained petechiae
- Hepatosplenomegaly
What symptoms in children need urgent referral to oncology?
- Repeat attendance for same problem, no diagnosis
- New neuro symptoms
- Abdo mass
What symptoms in children need referral to doctor for urgent investigations?
- Rest pain
- Back pain
- Unexplained lump
- Lymohadenopathy (Slowly increased in size, non tender, not triggered by viral prodrome/trauma)
List some symptoms of brain tumour in children?
- Persistent/recurrent vomiting
- Persistent recurrent headache
- Abnormal balance/walking/co-ordination
- Abnormally eye movement
- Behaviour change
- Fits or seizures
- Abnormal head position
- Blurred/double vision
What is used to find out what a ?malignancy might be?
- Scans (MRI standard)
- Biopsy
- Tumour markers
What is used to find out where a malignancy is?
- Staging eg scans (Usually CT)
- Bone marrow
What is used in paediatric oncology treatment?
- Sometimes watch and wait!
- Multimodal therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
What are the acute risks of chemo in children?
Hair loss
Nausea & vomiting
Mucositis
Diarrhoea / constipation (^Infection risk)
Bone marrow suppression – anaemia, bleeding, infection
What are the chronic risk of chemo in children?
Organ impairment – kidneys, heart, nerves, ears (Hearing aids/impants)
Reduced fertility (If pubertal - sperm banks)
Second cancer
What are the acute risks of radiotherapy in children?
Lethargy
Skin irritation
Swelling
Organ inflammation – bowel, lungs
What are the chronic risks of radiotherapy in children?
Fibrosis / scarring
Second cancer
Reduced fertility
What are considered paediatric oncological emergencies?
Sepsis/febrile neutropenia Raised ICP Spinal cord compression Mediastinal mass Tumour lysis syndrome
