Early diagnosis of childhood cancer: a team responsibility

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To call attention for necessity of the knowledge of the early symptoms of childhood cancer and for the responsibility of the parents, physicians and teachers rendering health supervision to the children and to alert that the early detection and prompt treatment is of paramount importance in achieving cures in childhood cancer. SOURCES: Literature review using Medline. SUMMARY: The diagnosis of childhood cancer is complex and many variables play an important role. Early detection and prompt therapy have the potential to reduce mortality and treatment morbidity. A better understanding of the relationship between symptoms and diagnosis is important for the development of effective public health strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There are several factors that may be associated with length of time between symptoms and diagnosis. Lag time to diagnosis depends on tumor type and age. To determine warning signs and symptoms that should alert to the possibility of malignant disease is still a challenge.