An exclusive interview with Dr. Rakesh Roy, In-charge of Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, SGCCRI, Thakurpukur by The Republic Indian for public awareness about childhood cancer:

What causes childhood cancer?

• Medical conditions like Down’s Syndrome increases the chances of leukemia.
• Genetics – There is a strong genetic linkage with childhood retinoblastoma (defect in RB1 gene), Wilms’ Tumour.
• Exposure to infections – Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a common infection in young children and there is a high association between EBV and Burkitt’s Lymphoma.
• Exposure to radiation increases the chances of childhood cancers – ex radon gas.
• Why don’t we have a cure for childhood cancer yet?

It would be unwise to say that childhood cancers are incurable. There are numerous examples of childhood cancers being cured. For example – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Wilms Tumour and low risk Neuroblastoma.

• WHO has estimated that the survival rate of childhood cancers are expected to go upto 60% in the year 2030 with some global strategies. Currently it is higher in the developed nations and lower in the developing nations.

Is it safe for others especially a child to be around a child with cancer?

• Yes, it is absolutely safe. Cancer is not infectious.

Why do kids with cancer lose their hair?

Chemotherapy consists of cell damaging drugs. These drugs are most active against rapidly dividing cells (includes both cancerous cells as well as normal cells like hair follicles, mucous membrane of oral cavity, blood cells). Therefore kids on chemotherapy start losing their hair from treatment initiation. There are some drugs which cause rapid hair loss and some drugs which cause less hair loss. Newer drugs like antibodies and targeted agents spare the hair follicles. But these have selective usage.   

How long is treatment for childhood cancer?

• Depends on the type of cancer. Solid tumours have a treatment range between 6-9 months. Blood related cancers have a treatment extending some times upto 3 years. The initial phases involve aggressive treatment and later phases less aggressive maintenance treatment.