Leukemia Becomes the Most Common Cancer in Children, WHO Reveals
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VIVA – Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), leukemia has become the most common type of cancer in children globally. This was revealed in the Global Cancer Observatory report released by the WHO in 2020.
The report indicates that there were around 400,000 new cases of childhood cancer in 2018, with leukemia accounting for almost one-third of all cases. The report also states that the incidence of childhood cancer is increasing worldwide, with around 80% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
One of the children of an Indonesian artist also battled Leukemia at 5, "At first, I saw bruises on his body and he also had a fever. After being examined by a blood specialist, it turned out that there was a suspicion of leukemia," the Indonesian singer, Denada Tambunan said on World Cancer Day event that was held by PT Kalbe Farma Tbk.
Ilustrasi sel kanker.
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Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital's Hemato-Oncology Subspecialist Pediatrician, dr. Ludi Dhyani Rahmartani, Sp. A-KHOM revealed the facts that occur in Indonesia. One of the biggest challenges in pediatric cancer treatment in Indonesia is the low awareness of the signs and symptoms of pediatric cancer.
"Almost 50 percent of pediatric cancer cases that come to health facilities are already in an advanced stage. Therefore, the success rate of cancer treatment in children is only about 30 percent," said dr. Ludi Dhyani Rahmartani, Sp. A-KHOM.
This figure, said dr. Ludi is far below Malaysia (60 percent), Thailand (50 percent), and developed countries where the success rate reaches 80-90 percent. In fact, if it can be detected early, cancer in children can be cured with treatment and good nutrition.
"Sometimes the nutritional status of pediatric cancer patients is underestimated, even though cancer patients often experience malnutrition due to treatment and side effects of therapy. Poor nutritional conditions can increase the risk of complications and increase mortality rates in cancer patients," said dr. Ludi.
Moreover, the causes of leukemia in children are not fully understood, but some risk factors have been identified. These include genetic predisposition, exposure to certain chemicals, and radiation exposure.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for the successful management of childhood leukemia. Treatment typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes stem cell transplantation. The prognosis for childhood leukemia has improved significantly over the past few decades, with cure rates now exceeding 80% in high-income countries.
Efforts are ongoing to improve the diagnosis and treatment of childhood leukemia, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare services and resources can be limited. These efforts are aimed at reducing the burden of childhood leukemia worldwide and improving the outcomes for children with this disease.
