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2 Forms Of Children's Kidney Cancer, Their Symptoms, & How You Can Help Children Suffering From Kidney Cancer

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Every year, about 15,700 children are diagnosed with cancer. While the most common type of cancer in children is leukemia, a type of kidney cancer called Wilms Tumor is also one of the most common cancers that affect children. This is a cancer that affects a child's kidneys, and it can occur in either one or both kidneys. However, other more rare types of kidney cancer can also occur in children.

If you have a child, then read on to learn about two of the most common types of kidney cancer that affect children and their symptoms to watch out for.

2 Common Types of Kidney Cancer That Affect Children

Wilm's Tumor

About 500 parents each year hear the news that their children have developed Wilm's Tumor. This type of kidney cancer typically affects very young children between the ages of 3 and 4, although it can also strike children who are older. It is very important to catch Wilm's Tumor in its early stages because it can eventually spread to a child's lymph nodes, liver, lungs, bones, and even brain.

While a child with Wilm's Tumor may display no signs or symptoms of cancer development, others develop blood in their urine, anemia, and/or high blood pressure. Other Wilm's Tumor symptoms include fatigue and a high fever that just won't go away.

Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney

While a Rhabdoid tumor can occur in other areas of a child's body, such as their brain or other soft tissues, it most commonly starts in a child's kidneys. This is a more rare type of kidney cancer that typically strikes about 20 to 25 infants and young children each year, and the average age of diagnosis of Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney is about 15 months of age. However, it can strike toddlers as well.

While infants and children can display no symptoms of a Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney, many infants and children display an abdominal mass; trouble breathing; and/or peripheral nerve palsy, which is damage to the nerves that can cause numbness and pain in your child's hands and feet (although your child can experience numbness and pain in other areas of their body), and overall weakness.

There are nine other types of children's kidney cancer that can affect infants, children, and teenagers. This makes it very important to take your child to their pediatrician on a regular basis and never forget to report any new symptoms your child is experiencing at home to your child's physician.

How You Can Help Children Suffering from Kidney Cancer

Whether you have a child or not, realize that many families who have children diagnosed with kidney cancer lack the resources to fund the expensive cancer treatments that their children need to improve their chances of surviving these often-deadly diseases.

However, other children go diagnosed until their cancer reaches its later stages when it is not as easily treatable due to lack of awareness of the many types of kidney cancer that can affect children and their symptoms. If you would like to help these families, consider donating to a childhood kidney cancer awareness fund.

Contact a company like Driven To Cure for more information and assistance. 


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