Symptoms of Childhood Cancer

Spotting early signs of childhood cancer gives your child the best chance to beat it

While childhood cancer is rare, unfortunately, it’s a reality for some.

If it does happen, knowing the early warning signs gives your child the best possible chance to beat it.

Thankfully, survival rates have markedly improved in recent decades, thanks to advancements in treatment and early detection. Today, more than 8 out of 10 kids with cancer are cured — based on 5-year survival rates for the most common childhood cancers.

“The key is catching it early before the cancer has a chance to grow and spread,” says Jagadeesh Ramdas, MD, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Geisinger. “Early detection allows doctors to start treatment earlier to improve outcomes. The treatment also may be less aggressive, which could mean fewer side effects and a better quality of life during and after therapy.”

Here are 8 common symptoms of childhood cancer to look for — and when to call the doctor — to increase your child’s odds of early detection and as little disruption to childhood as possible.

Common childhood cancers

Unlike adult cancers, which are often linked to lifestyle factors or environmental exposures, childhood cancers typically stem from genetic mutations and may be treated differently.

The most common childhood cancers include:

Leukemia, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): A blood cancer that causes rapid growth of abnormal blood cells in the bone marrow
Brain or spinal cord tumors: Solid masses of cancer cells that grow in or around the brain or spinal cord
Lymphomas, including Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s: Cancers that affect the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes, which help the body fight infection

“There are other childhood cancers like soft tissue sarcoma, bone tumors, Wilms tumor and neuroblastoma that aren’t as common but still do occur,” says Dr. Ramdas. “Thankfully, these types also can be treated and cured, if detected early.”

8 early symptoms of childhood cancer

Instead of preventive screenings, finding childhood cancer early depends on identifying warning signs.

But symptoms of childhood cancer can look a lot like symptoms of common childhood illnesses or everyday bumps and bruises. And in many cases, the signs of cancer in kids are more likely to be a viral infection, injury or other common condition.

“So just because your child has these symptoms, it doesn’t conclusively indicate cancer,” says Dr. Ramdas. “But either way, these symptoms are troubling and should elicit a call to your child’s pediatrician.”

Depending on the type, common symptoms of childhood cancer include:

Unexplained weight loss

When kids are sick, they naturally don’t feel like eating and can lose their normal appetites. Or frequent vomiting due to an illness like a stomach bug can cause weight loss.

But your child also could lose weight if their body is having to work harder than normal to fight off cancer cells.

“Children are growing rapidly, especially during the infant years and puberty,” says Dr. Ramdas. “So unless kids are sick or on a special diet, they should be continually gaining weight.”

Extreme fatigue

If your usually active and energetic child shows fatigue that is atypical for them, it can be a warning sign. Being extremely tired, feeling weak and looking pale could indicate anemia, or low red blood cell counts. A shortage of red blood cells carrying oxygen to all the cells in the body can cause extreme fatigue and could be an indication of leukemia.

“Kids are busy, and everyone gets tired and irritable from time to time,” says Dr. Ramdas. “But if your child is too tired for daily tasks and doesn’t want to participate in activities once enjoyed, it can be cause for concern — especially if getting a good night’s rest doesn’t resolve it.”

Persistent fever or frequent infections

A persistent fever, especially without apparent cause, should prompt a call to your doctor. Cancer weakens the immune system and can lead to repeat infections that are hard to treat.

“The lymph nodes help the body fight off infection,” says Dr. Ramdas. “Fever and frequent infections that progressively get worse despite treatment are concerning and could indicate lymphoma or something else.”

Unexplained bruising or bleeding

Unexplained bruising, especially in abnormal spots, can be a red flag.

“Bruising is a common part of childhood. Kids frequently get bruises on their arms and legs, especially those that play sports,” says Dr. Ramdas. “So, we tend to look for frequent bruising in unusual places like on the back or stomach and bruising that occurs with other symptoms.”

Also, excessive bleeding that doesn’t stop when it should or a rash of small red dots, almost like freckles, could indicate a problem with blood platelets, which help blood clot. These can be signs of leukemia.

Unusual lumps or swelling

Kids’ stomachs are soft and naturally — and adorably — protrude. But if your child’s stomach is hard and swollen, or sticking out more than normal, ask your doctor for an evaluation to rule out abdominal masses like Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma or sarcoma.

Also, finding a lump or mass in your child’s neck, chest or armpits is a sure sign your child needs to be evaluated. It could be due to swollen lymph nodes.

Persistent pain

If your child has frequent pain in their bones, joints, back or legs that isn’t associated with an injury and doesn’t get better with over-the-counter medications, it’s a clear cause for concern. Unexplained leg pain that causes your child to limp with no apparent injury or other reason could be an early sign of bone cancer or leukemia.

Frequent headaches

Frequent headaches, especially if they occur in the morning accompanied by vomiting and vision changes, is a red flag. It could indicate a brain tumor.

Sudden changes in vision

Eye or vision changes that occur suddenly and don’t go away are an early warning sign. A white spot behind the pupil of your child’s eye is too. While blurred vision or other eye changes could simply mean your child needs glasses, they also could be due to brain or spinal cord tumors.

“If your child is too small to communicate vision changes, there are signs parents can look for,” says Dr. Ramdas. “Unusual eye movements, drooping eyelids, excessive irritability, reading material up close, blinking more than usual or squinting are all important warning signs.”

When to talk to your child’s doctor

Don’t dismiss symptoms, even if they seem minor. While most of them are much more likely to be caused by something other than cancer, it’s always better to err on the side of safety.

Reach out to your child’s pediatrician if symptoms are:

Persistent and last more than a couple of weeks or are worsening
Out of the norm for your child or unexplained
Occur in combination with other symptoms

If your child has severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, frequent vomiting or a seizure for the first time, seek immediate medical attention.

“Trust your instincts as a parent,” says Dr. Ramdas. “You know your child best and if something feels off about how your child feels or acts, don’t be afraid to discuss it with your child’s doctor.”