Pediactric Cancer of Central Nervous system (CNS)

Central Nervous System (CNS) Pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment impacts

By

Aysha Siddiqui

Walden University

Abstract

This paper reviews pediatric cancer of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and its impact on psychological health of the children, their families. We discuss the nature, signs and symptoms of pediatric cancer of CNS. Pediatric cancer has impact on the psychological health of patients and their families in varying ways. Diagnosis and treatment are phases of the disease with different impacts at each stage. We discuss these conditions caused by diagnosis, treatment procedure and recovery from pediatric cancer of CNS.

Introduction

St.Jude children’s hospital reports that, cancer today, is still the leading cause of death among children ages 1 and up. The good news is that survival rate among childhood cancer has moved up to 80% from 20% in 1960s.

The National Institute of Health reports that every year around 10,000 children are diagnosed with pediatric cancer, among which According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) cancers of the brain, central nervous system (CNS) and leukemia (cancer of blood cells) accounts for more than half of the new pediatric cancers. The Central Nervous system refers to the spinal cord and the brain, while pediatric cancer of the central nervous system mainly refers to brain tumors (National Cancer Institute). Rorke et al (1996) report that CNS cancer is most common among children under two years of age and is typically misdiagnosed.

Signs of Pediatric CNS Cancer

These tumors are formed by an abnormal growth of cells that can begin in different parts of the brain and the spinal cord (National Cancer Institute). Tumors maybe benign (not cancer) and grow in the brain and press nearby areas of the brain. Tumors maybe malignant (cancerous) and can spread rapidly to tissue of the brain as well.

The symptoms of pediatric CNS cancer may vary in children and usually not the same in every child. However, most common symptoms for brain tumors include:

 ·         Morning headache

·         Frequent nausea and vomiting.

·         Vision, hearing, and speech problems.

·         Loss of balance and trouble walking.

·         Unusual sleepiness or change in activity level.

·         Unusual changes in personality or behavior.

·         Seizures.

·         Increase in the head size (in infants).

Spinal Cord Tumor Symptoms

·         Back pain or pain that spreads from the back towards the arms or legs.

·         A change in bowel habits or trouble urinating.

·         Weakness in the legs.

·         Trouble walking.

Treatment of Pediatric CNS Cancer

Most CNS tumors are removed by surgery after a surgical procedure called biopsy in which a small tissue of the brain is removed. It is then looked at under the microscope and if cancer cells are found then tumor is carefully removed (NIH). Other treatment procedures include use of imaging testing and other procedures when the location of tumor is very risky.

Prognosis (chances of recovery) of Pediatric CNS Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute the chances of prognosis of Pediatric CNS cancer is dependent on factors. This includes

·         If cancer cells left after surgery.

·         The type of tumor.

·         Location of the tumor

·         Age of the child.

·         If the tumor has been diagnosed as recurred (come back).

The impact of pediatric cancer diagnosis on psychological, emotional health and behavior

Diagnosis of a disease is a life changing instance in the life of adults and children. In case of children, the diagnosis can have an effect on their family and parents as well. Mcbride et al (2000) studied the impacts of cancer diagnosis on choices to reduce health risks like exercising and eating healthy. They conclude that cancer diagnosis motivates adult patients and parents of pediatric cancer patients to eat healthy, exercise more and indulge in stress reducing activities. This gives way to the idea that cancer diagnosis can have a positive impact on families of pediatric cancer patients. This kind of impact is however less common compared to impacts that may cause stress.  Pai et al (2007) discuss the ‘functioning’ of parents compared to physically healthy kids. Their study shows more psychological distress among family functioning of children with cancer. Mothers of children with cancer reported greater distress than fathers. Parents also express impact of diagnosis on their perception of self and image of family.

The impact of treatment of pediatric cancer

Vrijmoet-Wiersma et al (2008) report that there is a direct relation between the stress experienced by the parents of pediatric cancer pas and its impact on the psychological health of their children. Children with cancer are able to handle the treatment procedures psychologically with more strength whose parents have low levels of stress.

Research shows that parents’ of children with cancer and the patients as well shows signs of Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD), especially adolescents.  Kazak et al (2004) conducted a study with 150 adolescent cancer survivors and their families. They concluded that both PTSD and PTSS (post traumatic stress syndrome) is experienced by parents and family members of cancer survivors. The understanding of these symptoms will help understand the experience of these parents and in developing effective coping strategies.

References  

Kazak, A. E., Alderfer, M., Rourke, M. T., Simms, S., Streisand, R., & Grossman, J. R. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in families of adolescent childhood cancer survivors. Journal of pediatric psychology, 29(3), 211-219.

Mcbride, C. M., Clipp, E., Peterson, B. L., Lipkus, I. M., & Demark‐Wahnefried, W. (2000). Psychological impact of diagnosis and risk reduction among cancer survivors. Psycho‐Oncology, 9(5), 418-427.

Pai, A. L., Greenley, R. N., Lewandowski, A., Drotar, D., Youngstrom, E., & Peterson, C. C. (2007). A meta-analytic review of the influence of pediatric cancer on parent and family functioning. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(3), 407.

Rorke, L. B., Packer, R. J., & Biegel, J. A. (1996). Central nervous system atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors of infancy and childhood: definition of an entity. Journal of neurosurgery, 85(1), 56-65.

Key Points of Childhood Cancer, National cancer Institute.

Retrieved from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childbrain/Patient#Keypoint1