How can children get cancer

The cause of the defect in the stem cells could be related to an inherited genetic defect or exposure to a virus or toxin. These include Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Possibly, the virus alters a cell in some way. That cell then reproduces an altered cell and, eventually, these alterations become a cancer cell that reproduces more cancer cells. Pesticides, fertilizers, and power lines have been researched for a direct link to childhood cancers. Whether prenatal or infant exposure to these agents causes cancer, or whether it is a coincidence, is unknown.

In some cases, children who have been exposed to these agents may develop a second malignancy later in life. A second malignancy is a cancer that appears as a result from treatment of a different cancer. The discovery of certain types of genes that contribute to cancer has been an extremely important development for cancer research. The majority of cancers are observed to have some type of genetic alteration. Some of these alterations are inherited. Others are sporadic, which means they happen by chance or happen from environmental exposures usually over many years.

There are three main types of genes that can affect cell growth, and are altered mutated in certain types of cancers, including the following:. These genes regulate the normal growth of cells. Scientists commonly describe oncogenes as similar to a cancer "switch" that most people have in their bodies. What "flips the switch" to make these oncogenes suddenly become unable to control the normal growth of cells and allowing abnormal cancer cells to begin to grow, is unknown.

Fund childhood cancer research and DFYchildhoodCancers today. First Name. Menu Search for people or events Search. Baldrick's Foundation September 13, Why do kids get cancer? First Name Email. Share this story :. Search the blog Search. Baldrick's Facebook Page St. This is called cancer. As cancer cells grow, they can make a person weaker, harm organs and bones, and make it hard for the body to fight off other illnesses.

Pediatric, or childhood, cancers and how they're treated have important differences from cancers that adults get, such as:. Most of the time, doctors don't know why kids get cancer. In children, a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome , can sometimes increase the risk of cancer. Kids who have had chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer are more likely to get cancer again.

But most cases of childhood cancer happen because of random mutations changes in the genes of growing cells. Because these changes happen randomly, there is no effective way to prevent them. Getting treatment at a medical center that specializes in pediatric oncology treatment of childhood cancer can help kids with cancer get the best care.

Doctors may use one or more of these treatments for a child who has cancer. The type of treatment needed depends on the child's age, the type of cancer, and how severe the cancer is. The main goal when treating kids with cancer is to cure them. While treatment may cause side effects, many medicines and therapies can make kids more comfortable while they're treated for cancer. When possible, involve kids with their own cancer treatment.