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Lump in Breast during Breastfeeding
A lump in the breast is quite common in nursing mothers but it should not be ignored in any case. After a few days of giving birth to your little baby, your breasts may feel hard as they are engorged with breastmilk. You may also feel lumps in your breasts, but these are mostly plugged milk ducts, which will go in a few days. However, if a lump does not go away in a week or two, you will need to see a doctor. There are many possible reasons for getting a lump in the breast and of course, it will worry you, but if it is diagnosed at the right time, your life will be saved.
Is a Lump in Breast Normal while Breastfeeding?
As mentioned above, a lump in the breast is quite normal when you are nursing. It may be caused due to different reasons which can be treated or require no treatment at all. However, if you have a lump in your breast and it does not pain then it could be a sign of cancer. Therefore, if your symptoms are that of mastitis and they persist for more than 3 days, consulting a doctor to root it out is ideal.
Types of Lumps in the Breast
Listed below are some of the types of breast lumps.
1. Plugged Ducts
If the milk gets blocked in one area of the breast, then you may have plugged milk ducts. It may be caused due to milk stasis (milk stays in the ducts) or because of improper latching due to incorrect feeding position. Wearing a tight bra or tight clothes can also cause plugged ducts.
2. Engorged Breasts
At some point, most mothers may feel painful lumps in the breasts. This may be because of breast engorgement. It may lead to hard and swollen breasts and the engorged breasts may develop lumps. These lumps ease out once the milk is drained out manually or by a pump. This occurs when the baby is unable to suckle properly and as a result, the milk does not come.
3. Mastitis
Mastitis is basically a lump or swelling in the breast accompanied by pain, redness, and tenderness. It is caused when a plugged duct goes untreated and the milk builds up behind the ducts and causes inflammation due to infection. It is usually accompanied by a fever.
4. Breast Abscess
An abscess is formed due to pus in the breast. It usually occurs due to untreated or badly treated mastitis. It is necessary to drain out an abscess either by a needle or catheter aspiration along with antibiotics or it can lead to extreme pain and fever.
5. Galactoceles (Lacteal cyst or Milk cyst)
It is a cyst located near the mammary gland which retains milk or milk substance due to obstruction in the milk ducts. Usually, it does not cause any infection and goes away on its own once the mother stops nursing.
6. Fibroadenoma
It is a benign breast tumour and is more common in females between the ages of 15 and 30. It is a tumour of the gland and fibrous tissues. Unlike some breast lumps which come and go according to the monthly cycle, fibroadenoma does not disappear after the cycle. It rarely occurs in women in their postmenopausal stage.
7. Lipomas
Lipomas are fatty lumps that grow slowly in breasts or any other region. They do not grow more than 2 cms in diameter. They are round or oval in shape, rubbery to feel, and may move easily with a slight pressure. Such lumps can be more than one in number at one place.
8. Intraductal Papillomas
Intraductal papillomas are non-cancerous growth in the milk ducts of the breast. A solitary intraductal papilloma is a single tumour that grows in the large milk duct near the nipple. Some women have more than one and some may even experience bloody discharge from the growths.
9. Fat Necrosis
These lumps are a result of an injury to the fatty tissues in the breasts and require treatment if the condition persists for a long time. However, it is not dangerous and can be cured with the right treatment.
10. Breast Cancer
It is usually a hard or a firm lump usually causing no pain. It can originate either in the nipple or in the breast. However, it usually originates in the upper outer quadrant. Some large malignant tumours may compress the other parts of the breast or grow through the skin and can be very painful.
Tips to Follow If You Find a Breast Lump
It is important for women to self-examine their breasts for any lump, and if they find any, follow these tips to treat it as much as possible:
If you are a nursing mother, the lump could be due to engorgement or plugged ducts. To treat it, you can take a warm bath or opt for a warm compress, with a towel dipped in warm water to unclog the lump just before nursing.
After a warm bath or compress, massage the area of the lump and express the milk with your hands or pump it out.
Nurse your baby frequently as this will unclog your milk ducts and drain out the milk.
Take painkillers like Ibuprofen if you experience pain in the lump.
Stay hydrated; drink lots of water, juices, and soups, especially if you have a temperature.
Many times, lumps may occur due to tight bras. Therefore, wear a bra which provides good support but is not too tight. Also, avoid wearing underwire bras as they put pressure on the milk ducts.
If the lump does not subside in 3-4 days; if you see pus and blood in the milk; if there is discharge from the nipple, see a doctor at earliest.
Get all the right tests done to rule out the malignancy of the lump.
Figure out if the lump is a cyst or a tumour.
In case it is a cyst, you do not require further investigation and in case it is a tumour, have an autopsy done to find out whether it is benign or malignant.
In case you learn it to be cancerous, do a bit of research to educate yourself on the treatment process. Talk to various people to know about the best doctor who could take your case.
When you visit an oncologist, feel free to ask all the questions you have.
The last and the most important of all, relax and stay positive.
How Is a Breast Lump Diagnosed in Breastfeeding Mothers?
Listed below are the tests which are performed to diagnose lumps in the breast in breastfeeding mothers:
1. X-Ray
Doctors suggest an X-Ray to see through the breast tissue and other tissues like bones, lungs, etc., for any abnormality.
2. Ultrasound and CT Scan
A computed tomography scan (CT scan) is done to see if it is cancerous growth and to check whether cancer has moved to the chest walls or to other parts of the body.
3. Mammograms
It is the most effective test to detect breast cancer. This test can detect cancer even before the symptoms appear. A mammogram is done to check whether the breast lump is benign or cancerous.
4. MRI
The test tells you whether the treatment is working on you or not by showing the progress of a tumour.
5. Fine Needle Aspiration
If earlier tests indicate breast cancer, then the doctor may ask for fine needle aspiration biopsy in which some fluid is taken out from the affected area to look for cancer cells.
6. Stereotactic Core Biopsy
It is an alternative method of surgical biopsy and a less intrusive way to get the tissues required to detect cancer.
7. Surgical Biopsy
A surgical biopsy is done when the result of a needle biopsy is not clear. Under local anaesthesia, a part of the lump or the entire lump is removed through a small opening.
Treatment for Breast Lumps while Breastfeeding
Not all breast lumps need treatment. Benign lumps like fibroadenoma do not need any remedy and cause no harm. Lumps caused due to injuries also subside when given time to heal.
Treatment options for lumps in the breast include:
1. Fine Needle Draining
Fine needle draining is a simple procedure and does not take much time. If there is an abscess or a cyst it will be drained with a fine needle.
2. Antibiotics
Lumps caused due to breast infections can be treated using antibiotics.
3. Lumpectomy
This is a treatment procedure to remove lumps surgically when they are cancerous.
4. Mastectomy
Mastectomy is performed in order to remove the cancerous breast tissue as a way to prevent breast cancer.
5. Chemotherapy
If the lump has been diagnosed as cancerous, then the doctor may suggest chemotherapy for the same. Depending on the stage of cancer, your doctor will suggest if you should go for chemotherapy or not.
6. Radiation
If the lump is cancerous, it can also be treated with radiation therapy where the patient has to undergo doses of radiation in accordance with the stage of cancer.
How to Prevent Lumps in Breasts while Nursing
Here are some ways to prevent lumps in the breast:
Try to breastfeed your baby at regular intervals.
Always clean your nipples and areola with the help of cotton dipped in warm water.
Massage your breasts in a circular motion to prevent the milk to accumulate in one place.
Lumps in the breast while breastfeeding can be due to a number of reasons and not just breast cancer. Therefore, it is imperative to educate people that there is nothing to fear as soon as a person comes across a lump in her breast.
Also Read: Breast Pain during Breastfeeding Read more
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9 Delicious and Easy-to-Make Thanksgiving Treats and Desserts for Kids
It’s that time of the year again when families gather, laugh together, and enjoy some warm and delicious food. Yes, Thanksgiving, the season of making holiday food is almost here, and we can't keep calm! While you may want to stick to Thanksgiving classics by carving the bird and making succulent gravy, there are enough and more unique Thanksgiving dishes you can make that will make your guests reach for a second helping. And here’s the best part: your kids will be all too pleased with some new dishes and sweets on the table!
Fun and Easy Thanksgiving Recipes for Children
We have a list of delicious Thanksgiving foods, from traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes to side dishes to desserts (everything to make your Thanksgiving meal a success), that will leave your kids wanting for more and your guests raving about your culinary skills!
Scrumptious Thanksgiving Side Dishes and Snacks for Kids
Because your kids will need something to dig in (and munch on) until the aroma of the main course hits them.
1. Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is all the more delicious when it is made from scratch. This creamy dish is nothing but warm and comfort food. And since it’s a corn dish, your kids are bound to love it!
Total Time: 30 minutes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Frozen corn kernels (choose fresh corns, if you like) - 2 cups
Coconut milk - 1 can
Salt - 1 tsp
A handful of parsley (chopped)
Red pepper flakes - 1/4 tsp
Recipe
Heat the corn kernels and coconut milk in a saucepan over medium heat and stir well.
Bring it to simmer and add in the salt and sugar.
Cook well until the coconut milk evaporates a bit and thickens.
Season with salt and pepper flakes and give it a nice stir.
Once the mixture reaches the desired consistency, turn off the flame.
Transfer it to a bowl and garnish with parsley.
2. Orange and Honey Glazed Carrots
Carrots may not be your first choice when you think about Thanksgiving food, but thanks to this side dish, that you will see carrots as a refreshing change, and perhaps make this dish more often. This side dish is roasted and has honey in it, so be assured, your little bunnies will enjoy them as snacks!
Total Time: 40 minutes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Large carrots (peeled) - 10-12
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Honey - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Black pepper powder - 1 tsp
Orange zest (grated) - 1 tsp
Freshly squeezed orange juice - 1 tbsp
Water
Recipe
Cut the carrots into small sticks.
Take some water in a large pan, add some salt to it followed by the carrots. Cover the pan and simmer over low heat.
The carrots should turn tender. Once tender, drain and place them in a large bowl.
Toss with the honey, oil, salt, black pepper powder, orange juice, and grated orange zest.
Preheat an oven to 375°F (200°C).
Place the carrots in a baking dish and bake for about 25 minutes.
3. Pumpkin Cookies
It’s Thanksgiving holiday, and you need to have one pumpkin dish (if not more) on your table. So here’s a pumpkin snack your kids will enjoy. It’s time for pumpkin cookies; this make-ahead dish will definitely save you precious time on the big day.
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Prep: 1 hour
Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients
All-purpose flour - 2 1/2 cups
Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
Pumpkin puree - 1 cup
Egg - 1
Butter - 1 cup
Granulated sugar (white sugar) - 1 cup
Cinnamon powder - 2 tsp
Nutmeg powder - 1/2 tsp
Ginger powder - 1/4 tsp
Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Vanilla extract - 1-2 tsp
Recipe
In a bowl, take all the dry ingredients (except brown sugar and granulated sugar) and mix well.
In another large bowl, take the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and the butter, and beat well using a hand mixer; beat until the mixture turns creamy.
Add in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract, and beat again.
Slowly, add in the flour mixture to it and beat until it is mixed well and turns smooth.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes.
Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C).
Next, scoop the chilled dough on to a baking tray lined with baking sheet.
Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start turning brown.
Sprinkle some ground cinnamon on the cookies and serve.
Delicious Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for Kids
Because grandmom’s recipes are too tasty to not be a part of Thanksgiving dinner. They even get hearty conversations started at the dinner table.
4. Pumpkin Soup
With Thanksgiving, comes the official soup season. And pumpkin soup is just what your kids and guests need to start with their Thanksgiving meal. The warm spices that go into the soup will even keep your kids warm in the winter season.
Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Pumpkin puree - 1 can (4 cups)
Onion (grated) - 1
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Chicken broth - 4 cups
Heavy cream - 1/2 cup
Pumpkin spice - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste
Recipe
Heat some olive oil in a saucepan or wok over medium heat.
Add in the grated onion and cook until tender. Keep stirring to prevent it from burning.
Add in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, heavy cream, spice, and salt, and bring the mixture to a boil.
Stir occasionally, then cover it with a lid and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Your soup should be ready.
5. Herb-Stuffed Turkey
There is no Thanksgiving without turkey, but wrestling with it is not a layman’s job. If it’s your first time with the bird, here’s a turkey recipe to get you started. What’s more, after you try (and succeed at) this recipe, you will want to make it every Thanksgiving.
Total Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Ingredients
Turkey (thawed, if frozen) - 1 (5-6 kg)
Sage (chopped) - 8 sprigs
Carrots (cut into small pieces) - 2
Small onions - 4
Bay leaves - 2
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Garlic (finely chopped) - 3 cloves
Salt and pepper to taste
Recipe
Place the turkey on a baking sheet, and remove the giblets out of it.
Wash the turkey inside out to remove any excess fat and pat it dry from outside.
Cut the onions into quarters and stuff half of the quartered onions into the cavity of the turkey.
Stuff it further with sage, and some carrots, if you like.
Preheat an oven to 375°F (200°C).
Place the remaining carrots, sage and onions, and bay leaves in a large roasting pan.
Place the stuffed turkey on top. Brush the outside of the turkey with some oil and season with salt and pepper.
Tie the legs of the turkey together with string and tuck its wing tips under its body.
Roast the turkey for about 2-3 hours.
Once cooked, transfer it to a cutting board and cover with an aluminium foil. Let it rest for about 25 minutes then carve!
6. Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole
If mashed potatoes are on your mind, here’s a casserole dish that is creamier (and dreamier) than the plain mashed potatoes. This cheesy mashed potato casserole will look wonderful sitting next to the turkey on your dinner table.
Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Prep: 40 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Ingredients
Potatoes (peeled and cut into small pieces) - 9-10
Garlic cloves (peeled and crushed) - 6-8
Milk - 1/2 cup
Heavy cream - 1/2 cup
Shredded cheddar cheese - 1/2 cup
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Butter - 1/2 cup
Green onions (chopped) - 1/2 cup
Recipe
In a large saucepan, place the potato pieces and bring them to a boil.
Cook them for 20 minutes until they turn tender, then drain.
Transfer the potatoes to a bowl.
In another bowl, mix the heavy cream, milk, green onions, garlic, and salt. Pour this mixture on to the potatoes and mash well.
Preheat an oven to 375°F (200°C) and grease a glass baking dish.
Transfer the mashed potato mix into the baking dish and sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes.
Mouth-watering Thanksgiving Desserts and Treats for Kids
Thanksgiving or not, kids just need an excuse to gobble sweets. So, it makes sense to plan for one or more of these sinful delicacies, no? After all, holidays call for a bit of indulgence and bent rules!
7. Apple Pie
There’s nothing quite like a classic apple pie. Go ahead and make this dessert in advance - it’s going to be a hit among your guests, and your kids will devour it too!
Total Time: 2 hours
Prep: 1 hour
Cook: 1 hour
Ingredients
For pie dough
All-purpose flour - 2 1/2 cups
Salt - 1 tsp
Butter cubes - 8-10
Ice water
For the filling
Granny smith apples (peeled, cored, sliced) - 6-7
Flour - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Cinnamon - 1 tsp
Nutmeg - 1/4 tsp
Egg (beaten) - 1
Additional sugar for icing
Half a lemon
Recipe
Take the flour and salt in a bowl and mix well.
Add in the butter cubes and mix well with the flour.
Add some ice water to the bowl and stir the mixture well until it comes together in the form of dough.
Remember, the dough should not be too sticky.
Work the dough into a ball and cover it with cling wrap, then refrigerate.
In a bowl, take the sliced apples, flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix well until all the apple slices are coated well.
Preheat an oven to 375°F (200°C).
Meanwhile, take out the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into half.
Roll out both the halves; they should be round and about 3 mm thick.
Place one rolled out dough in a pie dish making sure that the rolled out dough reaches the edges.
Pour the apple filling on to the dough.
Roll the other half of the dough on top.
Trim the extra dough from the edges and pinch the dough around the edges, so that the edges are sealed together.
Brush the pie with the beaten egg and sprinkle some sugar on top.
Make slits in it.
Bake for about 45 to 60 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.
Allow it to cool before serving.
8. Strawberry Trifle Pudding
For a refreshing taste and colour in your Thanksgiving menu, trifle pudding is just what you need. Plus, it speaks of Thanksgiving in all ways possible! Make this strawberry and banana trifle pudding a day in advance, and refrigerate!
Total Time: 1 hour
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Ingredients
Granulated sugar (white sugar) – 1 cup
Cornstarch – 5 tbsp
Strawberries (cut lengthwise into small slices) – 3 cups
Bananas (cut into small slices) – 3
Milk – 4 cups
Egg yolks – 6
A pinch of salt
Vanilla bean (split lengthwise and pods scraped) – 1/2
Heavy cream – 2 cups
Icing sugar – 1 ½ tbsp
Vanilla wafer cookies – 20
Unsalted butter – ¾ cup
Recipe
In a saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, white sugar, salt, vanilla bean and pods. Add in the milk and continue to whisk until the cornstarch dissolves completely.
Add in the yolks and whisk again.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and continue to stir until a large bubble forms and pops.
Reduce to low heat and keep whisking. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until it melts.
Place a mesh sieve over a medium-sized bowl, and transfer the above pudding immediately through it.
Cover it and let it cool.
Whisk the cream and icing sugar in a bowl.
Mix the pudding well, and pour two spoons of pudding in a dessert glass. Spread it evenly.
Place a few vanilla wafer cookies on the pudding, followed by a few slices of bananas and strawberries.
Layer it with some whipped cream. Repeat with another layer of cookies, pudding, and fruits.
As you add in the layers, make sure to arrange the strawberry slices around the sides of the glass too as shown in the image.
Repeat one more layer and keep it in the fridge for about 4 – 6 hours.
Top it with some whipped cream and garnish with fresh strawberry slices.
9. Turkey Cookies
Your turkey-shaped cookies will be the star dish in your Thanksgiving menu, and trust us these cookies will taste as yummy as they look. But your little ones may find it rather hard to decide whether to eat them or stare at them. So try the cute and sweet version of the big bird (kidding!).
Total Time: 1 hour
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the cookies
All-purpose flour - 2 cups
Egg - 1
Milk - 4 tsp
Unsalted butter (softened) - 2/3 cup
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp
Baking powder - 1 ½ tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
For the decoration
Vanilla frosting - 1/4 cup
Candy corn pieces - 40
Orange food colour
Peanut butter cups - 12 - 15
Candy eyes (as required)
Candy corn pieces (as required)
Strawberry fruit leather (cut into small stripes) - 1 roll
Recipe
To make the cookies, start with whisking all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, beat the sugar and butter using a hand mixer until it turns creamy and smooth.
Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat again – it should appear fluffy.
Mix in the milk.
Add in the dry ingredients and mix well – you should have the cookie dough.
Make small balls from the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Preheat an oven to 375°F (200°C).
Bake the cookie balls for about 8-10 minutes so that they get cooked, but are soft.
Remove them from the tray and press them slightly with the help of the back of the glass or a small bowl.
Do this while the cookies are hot or they may turn cold and hard to press.
Now comes the fun (or tedious) part – time to decorate the cookies!
Mix in the food colour to the frosting in a bowl and stir until you get the desired colour.
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag; use a nozzle with a very tiny hole.
Take one peanut butter cup and cut it from one side so that it looks like a semi-circle (but is more than a semi-circle). Squeeze some frosting on the back of this peanut butter cup. Take one cookie and cut it slightly from one side (think one side of a hexagon). Place the peanut butter cup on this edge of the cookie.
Take another peanut butter cup, and cut it along the edges so that you get a smaller (circular) version of it.
Squeeze some frosting on the back of it and place it above the bigger peanut butter cup such that they both stick together as shown in the picture.
Stick the eyes with the frosting on the smaller peanut butter cup. Take a candy corn, cut its white part and stick it under the eyes to make the beak. Take 1 fruit stripe and place it next to the beak.
Take about 8 candy corns, squeeze some frosting on to one side of their white parts and stick them at the back of the cookie as shown in the image.
Place another round cookie on the tray and stick the decorated cookie on to it (the hexagonal side should come down), as shown in the image.
Add tiny feet underneath using frosting and they are ready to serve. And serve soon before the turkey falls apart!
How to Involve Your Children in Meal Preparations This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving, though one of our favourite holidays, can leave you quite tired, especially if you do the cooking all by yourself. But if you want to cook for your family and loved ones and not spend all your time in the kitchen, ask your kids to help with the holiday preparations. They can make some cute and tasty snacks too - here are some Thanksgiving food ideas for your kids.
Mini Apple Pie
Cranberry Sauce
Chocolate cookies
Pumpkin Energy Balls
Marshmallows
These are some dishes that your kids can try on Thanksgiving. And if you want your kids to help you with the heavy recipes, here’s how you can get them started:
While getting the turkey ready will be hard for them, you can always ask them to help with the stuffing. They can mix the ingredients together and even stuff in the cavity of the turkey.
You can ask them to mash the potatoes. It’s something they will like (yep! kids like it messy); so ask for their help as long as they enjoy doing it.
While making cookies, you can ask your kids to scoop out the dough on to the tray and ice the cookies. This way you will get some time to relax and your kids will learn something new.
You can even ask your kids to decorate the table while you get the food ready. These little tasks will make your kids responsible, and they will appreciate that you trust them to not mess it up.
These are some ways in which you can involve your kids in the holiday season. Thanksgiving is all about coming together and being thankful for all the good things in life. Choose the dishes from the above list and cook some delicious Thanksgiving food. Enjoy it with your family and be thankful for it and all the good things you have in life. Happy Thanksgiving!
Also Read: Things To Thank Mom For This Thanksgiving
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Cancer In Children
Each cell in our body has an independent system that manages its growth, controls its life duration and its interaction with other cells. When these healthy cells alter and grow unrestricted, and the body is unable to control them, the body is said to be affected by cancer. Every type of cancer has different signs and symptoms, and its treatment depends upon the rate of cell growth and types of cells. It can affect humans of all ages and gender.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a life-threatening disease that is characterized by the unhindered growth of cells which develop into abnormal size. These cells destroy other cells in the body and over a period, spread to other organs of the human body. The spreading of these cancerous cells is known as metastasis, thus resulting in a serious condition that is difficult to treat. These altered cells go on to form large masses or lumps of tissue that are called tumours. These tumours release function-altering hormones into the body and are capable of interfering with the nervous, digestive and circulatory systems of the body.
The growth of cancer cells in a body weakens the immune system drastically, and the affected person is unable to fight against any other illness he/she is afflicted with. The internal organs and bones are destroyed, and the person loses his/her strength.
Types of Cancer in Kids
There are various types of cancer that can affect children. The following are the most common types of cancer in kids:
Leukaemia: This is cancer that infects blood and the bone marrow and is one of the most common types of childhood cancer. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia are two main types of leukaemia which affect children.
Neuroblastoma: This type of cancer is mostly seen in infants and very young children. It is a cancer of neural crest cells which are specialized nerve cells. It originates in the child’s abdomen and causes swelling and high temperature.
Brain and spinal cord tumours: This is the second most common type of childhood cancer and accounts for one out of four cases of cancer in children. Spinal cord tumours, however, are less common than brain tumours.
Lymphoma: This type of cancer begins its journey from lymph nodes and other lymph tissues like the tonsils. The bone marrow and other organs can also get affected by Lymphomas. This type accounts for one out of ten cases of cancer in children. Two types of lymphoma that can infect a child are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Liver Cancer: Liver cancers are a rare occurrence in children. There are two types of liver tumours, Hepatoblastomas and hepatic carcinomas.
Kidney Cancer: This type is also known as Wilms’ tumour or nephroblastoma, and it usually originates in one of the kidneys. Usually, children of 3-4 years of age are affected by cancer of the kidneys, and it rarely strikes kids above the age of six.
Bone Cancer: This cancer typically affects older children and teenagers but can develop at any age. There are two types of Bone cancer, Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, and together they account for 3 out of every 100 cancers detected.
Soft tissue sarcoma: This type of cancer can originate from any part or organ of the body like the head, neck, groin, abdomen or the pelvis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of Soft tissue sarcoma in kids.
Germ cell tumour: Germs cells develop into eggs or sperms and are mostly found in testicles and ovaries. On rare occasions, germ cells are also found in other parts of the body.
Retinoblastoma: This cancer affects the retina lining of the child’s eye and is a rare type (Every 2 out of 100). Children of 2 years or below are most susceptible to it.
Differences Between Adult Cancer and Child Cancer
Cancer types that develop in children are quite different from the ones that develop in adults. Like most adult cancers, childhood cancers cannot be linked to environmental or lifestyle factors. Apart from a few types, most childhood cancers respond in a better manner to specific treatments.
Since children do not suffer from any major health issues that can become worse, they respond to cancer treatment more positively than adults. On the other hand, if cancer needs radiation therapy as a part of its treatment, very young children are more likely to suffer from the side-effects than adults. At the same time, it is important to remember that children respond to chemotherapy in a better manner than adults do as their bodies handle it positively.
How Does Cancer Affect the Children and the Family?
Thanks to advancement in science and medicine, almost 80% of cancer cases in children are treated successfully. However, apart from the physical deterioration of the body and the visible changes, the child and its family are subject to a lot of stress and emotional upheaval.
Although modern-day treatments are highly effective, medicines, radiation and chemotherapy can leave their mark on the child. Most common side effects caused are hair loss, a feeling of tiredness, loss of appetite and lethargy. Due to a long duration of stay at the hospital, the child could miss school classes, friends and family life. Since they miss classes, they are unable to catch up with rest of the students for school work.
Cancer and the treatment that follows leave the kids tired and they may not want to indulge in any other activity. Some children are diagnosed with anxiety or depression and display symptoms of being withdrawn.
Since cancer treatments last for months or years, parents of afflicted children are unable to focus on their career or social life. They may need to reschedule their work timings and at times take long breaks from work to accommodate their kid’s treatment etc. Like the affected child, the immediate family goes through major emotional upheavals and is sure to need support and help from the hospital staff, doctors and social workers. Enrolling at a cancer support group is also a sensible thing to do.
It is important to for the child’s parents and siblings to learn to deal efficiently with this difficult phase of detection of cancer and its treatment to provide much-needed emotional support to the affected child.
Causes of Cancer in Children
The following are the probable causes and risk factors associated with cancer in children:
Exposure To Radiation: If a child is exposed to radiation at a very young age, he or she is at a greater risk of developing cancer than those who weren’t. The unfortunate children living in Japan at the time of the atomic bombing and those who were born around that time are examples of this cause. Children treated with radiation are at a higher risk of developing another cancer within their bodies. However, if radiotherapy wasn’t a part of their treatment, this risk is minimal.
Genetic Causes: If a child is detected with certain inherited conditions at the time of birth, it increases the risk of developing specific kinds of cancers in them. For example, babies detected of Down’s syndrome are 20 times more likely, than those without it, to develop leukaemia.
Contact With Infections: One common infection that can strike young children is EBV or Epstein Barr virus. It is known to cause infectious mononucleosis or glandular fever in teenage kids but does not display any specific symptoms. EBV can become a causal factor for the growth of certain types of cancer especially lymphoma, but this happens in extremely rare cases.
Complications In The Womb: The growth of some childhood cancers begins while the baby is in the mother’s womb. Wilms’ tumour, which is a type of kidney cancer, and retinoblastoma, which is retinal cancer, are common examples. Here, the cells in the baby’s body that develop early during pregnancy remain underdeveloped. When they do not develop as desired and remain immature, they develop into cancer cells.
Signs & Symptoms of Childhood Cancer
The symptoms of childhood cancer depend on the following factors:
Type of cancer
The part of the child’s body affected
If cancer has spread to the rest of the body
These symptoms are caused by external conditions that are not necessarily related to cancer, but occasionally, can act as pointers to indicate cancer. The symptoms are as follows:
Loss of appetite or inexplicable weight loss
Vomiting without a specific reason
Fever or sweating
Unexplained lumps in the body
Feeling of fatigue
Regular infection or flu
Constant headaches
Persistent backaches that occur while the body is at rest
Swelling of glands
Bruising, bleeding or rash on the body
Seizures or fits
Behavioural changes
Changes in vision
Changes in eye shape or size
Blood in urine (indication of bladder or kidney cancer)
Abdominal swelling and pain
Pain in bones, back, legs or arms
Diagnosis
Doctors use various tests to diagnose cancer and its causes. Tests like imaging, also confirm if cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Another important function of diagnostic tests is to decide which treatments will be the ideal for the specific case. Mostly, a biopsy is probably the only assured method of determining if the child is afflicted with cancer. However, a doctor may resort to other tests if a biopsy is not possible for some reason.
While selecting the right diagnostic test to diagnose childhood cancer, the doctor will consider the following factors:
The child’s age and his medical condition
The cancer type suspected from initial diagnosis
Signs and symptoms shown
Results from previous tests
Apart from a detailed physical examination, the one or more of the following diagnostic tests could be used to detect childhood cancer:
Biopsy: This involves the removal of a tiny portion of tissue from the affected person’s body, which is later examined under a microscope. A biopsy is known to provide a positive diagnosis whereas other tests may only suggest the presence of cancer. To carry out the procedure properly, imaging is used to guide the biopsy. The type of biopsy is decided by where the cancer is located and imaging is of great help here. A pathologist, who is a specialist in the evaluation of tissues, cells and organs, then analyses the sample tissue.
Blood Tests: These tests are carried out to measure the presence of various cell types in the child’s body. Certain types of cancer can be detected by checking the high or low levels of certain cells.
Lumbar Puncture: Also known as a spinal tap, the lumbar puncture involves taking the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) sample using a needle. It shows the presence of cancer cells or tumour markers. CSF is the fluid flowing around the spinal cord and brain while tumour markers abnormal amounts of substances found in tissues, blood and urine. The child’s lower back is numbed with the use of local anaesthetics.
Bone Marrow Aspiration And Biopsy: This combines the two procedures which are carried out together for the examination of bone marrow found inside large bones. The bone marrow is a spongy tissue that is solid and liquid in parts. Using bone marrow aspiration, the liquid is sucked out through a needle while biopsy takes out a sample of the solid portion. These samples are then sent to a pathologist for further study and observation.
Computed Tomography: Commonly known as CT or CAT scan, this method uses x-rays taken from different angles which helps in creating a 3D image of the insides of the body. A cross-sectional view using these images is then created to detect any abnormalities.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields instead of x-rays to create detailed images of the body. The patient’s body is often injected with a dye to obtain a clearer image of a tumour and its size.
Treatment
Your doctor will decide upon the line of treatment after considering factors like stage and type of cancer, health conditions and expected side effects. The common treatment options for childhood cancer are listed below:
Chemotherapy: This line of treatment includes the use of drugs to destroy childhood cancer cells and seeks to terminate the cancer cells from growing further. The drug is generally given through an Intravenous tube or a pill or capsule.
Surgery: Surgery involves the removal of the infected area (a tumour) and surrounding areas through a surgical procedure and is conducted by a surgical oncologist. After removal, doctors suggest chemo or radiation to eliminate the cancer completely.
Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses potent x-rays and photons to destroy cancer cells and is carried out by a radiation oncologist. Since other organs and tissues can be affected by radiation, doctors generally avoid radiation as much as possible.
Apart from the above, immunotherapy and bone marrow transplantation are also used to stop the spread of cancerous cells.
Late and Long-Term Effects of Cancer Treatment
Evaluating the effects of cancer treatments, in the long run, is important while deciding on the path to follow. Surgery, where spleen removal is involved, can cause risk of infections. The emotional impact of losing a body part is also huge and can cause depression. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause heart-related problems and hypertension. The lungs and the endocrine systems are also affected due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Coping With Childhood Cancer
Here are a few tips on how to cope with blood cancer in kids:
Seek support from family, friends, social workers and counsellors
Learn strategies to overcome stress and depression
Talk with other parents of cancer-stricken children
Involve the child in decision-making
Find strength through religious beliefs and practice meditation
Give vent to feelings of anger or sadness when alone
When a child is detected with cancer, it can cause extreme emotional upheavals with the family. The feeling of shock and disbelief hits the parents and is often followed by bouts of anger and fear. The process of diagnosis, followed by a long-drawn treatment can take its toll on the child and immediate family. The facts mentioned above can give you a clear picture of what to expect and ways to tide over this difficult process.
Also Read: Melatonin for Kids - An Overview Read more
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The best diaper for your little one - from XS to XL!
So you got the diaper which was recommended by a family friend or your best friend or simply it was the first diaper on the counter which you added to the hospital bag to keep it handy.
But did you ‘ask’ your little one how did they like it? And how exactly you say one can do that,right ?It’s easy- simply get smallest pack of diapers of XS or S size (based on your baby’s size) from the 2-3 well known brands you have researched or been recommended by from your knowns. And observe which brand of diaper works best for the little ones skin and also for you the ease while changing and also gives more comfortable nap time to your little munchkin! The one that works best here would be you should order the jumbo pack right away.
Generally would recommend tape diapers for less than 6 months , especially from changing perspective. Once they begin to sit and make movements, the ‘pant’ diapers work better as it leaves very less rashes which comes from size M to XL
Do note that size M of brand could mean size S of the other. Since the brands refer to different standards for marking the sizes (just how two different sizes of two different brands clothes would fit us) so be careful in case you are switching to another brand of diaper.
So why is it so important to discover the best diaper? Let me help you understand that better with help of some diaper maths ! A diaper on a average is to be changed at least between 3-4 hours , and on demand in case of poop! So minimum of 6 diapers changes a day. And they will continue to use the diaper till they are potty trained which will be not before 24 months of age. So you would have changed closed to 4400 diapers in those first 2 years!
So good luck in picking the best diaper for you little one, leave a comment if you have any diaper queries.
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Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant.I recently had growth scan.mu baby is in cephalic presentation. Does this change as I approach my due date. Also my EDD is July 25 and EDC is July 2. what is my expected due date. Also what is EDC?
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
14 hours ago
A. edc is expected date of delivery only.
that is 40 weeks
You will get more information for your query with your family doctor. You may meet your dr in person for proper guidance .
It is important to remain in contact with your doctor.
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
14 hours ago
Q. why I am getting dizziness in my pregnancy
I am going with 3rd month of my pregnancy it's a very strong dizziness I feel at times means every day .....no other symptoms of pregnancy .Please help with elaboration .All okay means isn't part of this journey.
Read moreSwati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. Do consult your doctor as soon as you can. It's important to find the real reason because without that, proper medication is not possible.
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
14 hours ago
Q. I am currently 32 week pregnant and had growth scan recently.My baby is in cephalic presentation.does this change after 36 week or does this remain the same?
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
6 hours ago
A. usually fixed. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. it's my 5 month n I still didn't went for check up yet not even once is it okay if I go now or?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
4 hours ago
A. You should have started going from the very beginning itself once you get to know you’re pregnant but since you haven’t reached that now if you’re pregnancy has been healthy last five months please get it checked with your doctor also if you need to start with any supplements or diet the doctor would advise you after a ultrasound so please visit your gynaecologist
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. size chart is not correct for age of the baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
46 mins ago
A. generally it is available from Indian academy growth chart download from Google. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Nikitha has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
21 mins ago
Q. Mera 8 month start hu white distance hora mere ko
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
20 mins ago
A. hello since u are a expecting mom this would require a proper medical attention and it is better to check with your doctor and your doctor will be able to guide you better on examination of the same and advise you accordingly
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