Pediatric oncology is a medical specialty that focuses on the care of children with cancer. In developed countries, cancer represents the leading cause of death in children, after accidents. Diagnosing and treating pediatric cancer comes with its own set of challenges. If your child has been affected by cancer it’s helpful to first understand how and why childhood cancers differ from adult cancers.

In children, environmental factors such as being overweight, having a poor diet and other lifestyle-related causes have little to no relevance with regard to cancer risk. Instead, with the exception of certain notable types of environmental exposure, such as radiation exposure or second-hand smoke, susceptibility to developing certain forms of cancer stems largely from the inheritance of genetic mutations. Additionally, a child’s body is actively growing and developing, with rapid rates of cellular growth and reproduction in comparison to adults, which makes children more vulnerable to some forms of cancer.

Early signs and symptoms of cancer in children can overlap with those of common illnesses or accidents and they can be easily overlooked by even the most observant parents. Also, since cancer is generally not on the forefront of the minds of parents of babies and young children, unique challenges of recognizing the early signs of cancer in children becomes readily apparent.

However, it’s important to know that, at American Medical Care, our pediatric oncology specialists possess the highest levels of expertise in pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment. Pediatric cancers are not always treated like adult cancers. The types of treatment that a child with cancer receives will depend on the type of cancer and whether it is diagnosed at an early or later stage.

Childhood Cancer: Treatment Options

In recent years, significant advances in pediatric cancer treatment have led to vast improvements in successful treatment outcomes. A wide range of highly effective treatment options are now available, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and Regenerative Therapy.

You can learn more about these and other pediatric cancer therapies offered at American Medical Care:

• Hepatoblastoma
• Neuroblastoma
• Wilms’ tumor
• Leukemia
• Brain and spinal cord tumors
• Lymphoma (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Retinoblastoma
• Osteosarcoma

We invite you to find out about American Medical Care’s superior pediatric cancer diagnostic and treatment services. Whether you are seeking an initial diagnosis or second opinion, our talented and dedicated network of pediatric oncologists offer comprehensive, precise and up-to-date diagnostic services. Our state-of-the-art network of facilities and providers offer individualized treatment plans, that will ensure that your child receives the most effective and innovative medical care available.

Give us a call us at 202-930-7870 or click here for a free quote.