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Questions and Answers
Which factor is the most firmly established environmental risk factor associated with the development of childhood cancer?
Which factor is the most firmly established environmental risk factor associated with the development of childhood cancer?
- Exposure to radon in homes.
- Prenatal drug exposure.
- Parental exposure to environmental toxins.
- Exposure to radiation. (correct)
Why might it be difficult to establish definitive environmental risk factors for many childhood cancers?
Why might it be difficult to establish definitive environmental risk factors for many childhood cancers?
- Because childhood cancers are rare, making large-scale epidemiological studies challenging.
- Because the latency period for cancer development is often longer than a child's lifetime. (correct)
- Because children are generally less exposed to environmental toxins than adults.
- Because most childhood cancers are genetically transmitted, masking environmental influences.
What is the most common type of leukemia observed in children?
What is the most common type of leukemia observed in children?
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (correct)
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
How do proto-oncogenes contribute to the development of cancer?
How do proto-oncogenes contribute to the development of cancer?
Which type of cancer is most often associated with mortality in children?
Which type of cancer is most often associated with mortality in children?
A child is diagnosed with aneuploidy. How does this chromosomal abnormality relate to increased cancer risk?
A child is diagnosed with aneuploidy. How does this chromosomal abnormality relate to increased cancer risk?
A new study suggests a possible link between a specific environmental toxin and childhood cancer. What further evidence would be needed to establish a stronger causal relationship?
A new study suggests a possible link between a specific environmental toxin and childhood cancer. What further evidence would be needed to establish a stronger causal relationship?
Children with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) have a significantly increased risk of developing leukemia. Which of the following most accurately describes this increased risk?
Children with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) have a significantly increased risk of developing leukemia. Which of the following most accurately describes this increased risk?
What is the current approximate cure rate for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, thanks to combination therapy?
What is the current approximate cure rate for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, thanks to combination therapy?
Familial risk can play a role in pediatric cancers. How much does genetics plays a role in the transmission of pediatric cancers?
Familial risk can play a role in pediatric cancers. How much does genetics plays a role in the transmission of pediatric cancers?
Flashcards
Childhood Cancer Incidence
Childhood Cancer Incidence
Around 15,500 children are diagnosed each year, with CNS tumors and leukemias being most common.
Proto-oncogenes
Proto-oncogenes
Genes that regulate cell growth, when mutated, can turn normal cells into cancer cells.
Chromosomal Aberrations
Chromosomal Aberrations
A type of genetic mutation involving extra or missing chromosomes, amplifications, deletions, or translocations.
Leukemia Risk & Trisomy 21
Leukemia Risk & Trisomy 21
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Radiation Exposure
Radiation Exposure
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Multimodal Treatment
Multimodal Treatment
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Combination Chemotherapy
Combination Chemotherapy
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Prognosis for Childhood Cancer
Prognosis for Childhood Cancer
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Study Notes
Cancer in Children: Incidence
- Approximately 15,500 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually.
- Central nervous system tumors are the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in children.
- Leukemias and brain tumors constitute 61% of all childhood cancers.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most prevalent type of leukemia, accounting for 75% of leukemia cases in children.
Etiology of Childhood Cancer
- The exact cause of cancer in children is largely unknown.
- Multifactorial etiology suggests that cancer development likely involves the interaction of multiple factors.
- Proto-oncogenes regulate normal cell growth and differentiation.
- Mutation of proto-oncogenes results in oncogenes, which can transform normal cells into cancer cells.
- N-myc oncogene plays a role in neuroblastoma and glioblastoma.
- Chromosomal aberrations, including aneuploidy, amplifications, deletions, and translocations, are observed in childhood cancers.
- Children with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) have a 10 to 20 times higher risk of developing leukemia.
- Most pediatric cancers are not genetically transmitted, although an increased familial risk has been noted in some cases.
- Shared genetic and environmental risk factors could contribute to increased familial risk.
- Many childhood cancers do not develop due to lengthy latency periods.
- Radiation is the only established environmental risk factor.
- Some prenatal drugs have been associated with childhood cancer.
- Prior research has suggested a link between antenatal X-ray exposure and childhood cancer, but subsequent studies have not confirmed this association.
- Recent meta-analyses indicate a potential association between parental exposure to environmental toxins and the development of childhood cancer, but this was unsupported in a European population.
- A study from Finland revealed an increased risk of leukemia with increasing radiation dose in children aged two to seven.
- Studies on childhood exposure to radon are ongoing, but conclusive evidence is still lacking.
Prognosis
- Approximately 85% of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer are cured through combination therapies.
- Combination chemotherapy and multimodal treatment are effective approaches.
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