Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Cancer

Lecture for Barangay Health Workers

Apokon, Tagum
in behalf of
Cancer Warriors Foundation,

Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo, MD

Medical Director
St Jude Partner Site, Philippines
Childhood Cancer is Curable
 KANSER Sa BATA
• K – Kanunay nga impeksyon
• A- Ang padayon nga dili masabtan pagkahugno sa lawas
• N – Naay puti diha sa likod sa mata
• S – Sakit sa ulo, kanunay’ng pagsuka, matag gabii o sayo
sa buntag
• E – Epekto sa kanser ang kanunay’ng pagkakapoy o
klaro nga pagpangluspad
• R – Regular nga paghanap o pag-usab sa panan-aw o
nahimong permanente

Ref: Cancer Warrior Foundation IEC

 KANSER Sa BATA
• Sa – Samad-samad, pagdugo o pagkatol-katol

• B – Balik-balik sa hilanat sa wala mahibal-an nga

hinungdan
• A – Adunay pagbukol diha banda sa tiyan, liog ,
dughan, singit ug ilok
• T – tiil, kabukugan , kasukasuhan, likod – adunay
paghubag o pagsakit
• A – Ang pagkalipong o pagsuka bisan wala nalipong
Ref: Cancer Warrior Foundation IEC
 K – Kanunay nga impeksyon
• Children with cancer are immune-
compromised
• They are prone to repeated infections
• Note for other symptoms associated with
infections; anemia/pallor, thrombocytopenia
or low platelet count
A- Ang padayon nga dili masabtan pagkahugno sa lawas

• Cachexia is often associated with

disseminated disease but can occasionally be
found during early tumor growth
• Cachectin/ Tumor necrosis factors are
cytokines often associated with cancer

JPEN J Parenter Enter Nutrition. 1988

May-Jun ; 12 (3) :286-298
N – Naay puti diha sa likod sa mata

• Whitish discoloration of
the pupils
• “cat’s eye”
• Disappearance of the
red-orange reflex
S – Sakit sa ulo, kanunay’ng pagsuka, matag gabii o sayo sa buntag

• Associated with brain

tumors
• Caused by blockage of
the flow of
cerebrospinal fluid
• Increased intracranial
pressure
E – Epekto sa kanser ang kanunay’ng pagkakapoy o klaro nga
pagpangluspad
R – Regular nga paghanap o pag-usab sa panan-aw o nahimong
permanente

• May be associated with tumors at the back of

the eyes such in retinoblastoma
• Can be a sign of increased intracranial
pressure
Sa – Samad-samad, pagdugo o pagkatol-katol
B – Balik-balik sa hilanat sa wala mahibal-an nga hinungdan

• Fever that does not

resolve despite
treatment
• “malignant fever”
• Commonly seen in
leukemias
• Can be due to cancer, or
infections due to
immunocompromised
state
 A – Adunay pagbukol diha banda sa tiyan, liog , dughan, singit ug
ilok

• Masses palpated in the abdomen, neck, chest,

inguinal area or armpits
• Masses may be enlarged lymph nodes or tumors
growing form underlying sites
• Can be abdominal malignancies such as wilms’
tumor, hepatoblastoma, germ cell tumors,
neuroblastoma
• Enlarged lymph nodes can be lymphomas or
metastatic sites of tumors
T – tiil, kabukugan , kasukasuhan, likod – adunay paghubag o
pagsakit
A – Ang pagkalipong o pagsuka bisan wala nalipong
 CHILD CANCER
• C –Continued, unexplained weight loss
• H – Headaches, often with vomiting, at night or
early morning
• I – increased swelling or persistent pains in
bones, joints, or back or legs
• L – lump specifically in the abdomen, neck, chest,
pelvis or armpits
• D - Development of excessive bruising, bleeding
or rash
Ref: Cancer Warrior Foundation IEC
 CHILD CANCER
• C- Constant infections
• A – A whitish color behind the pupil
• N - Nausea which persists or vomiting without
nausea
• C - Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
• E - Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly
and persist
• R - Recurrent fever of unknown origin
Ref: Cancer Warrior Foundation IEC
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE SIMILAR CASES

• Advise the patient and families of the necessity to consult

a doctor early
• Bring patient and families to :
– Davao Regional Hospital, Apokon, Tagum
• Pediatric Resident on Duty
• Dr Alan Tiongko
• Dr Lily Yu
– Davao Medical Center
• OPD Clinic Tuesday 2 pm
• Pediatric Resident on Duty
• Dr Marichelle Dizon
• Dr Mae Dolendo, Dr Jeannie Ong, Dr Grace Pecson
First Satellite Network Facility:
The doctors, nurses
and support staff
(Multidisciplinary
team)
St Jude Partner Site