Paediatric oncology and haematology

Question 1

what is the most common type of cancer in children?

Answer 1

leukaemia

Question 2

in what age group do we normally see wilm’s tumours and neuroblastomas?

Answer 2

children aged less than 6 yrs

Question 3

what is a good tumour marker of neuroblastomas?

Answer 3

urinary catecholamine excretion

Question 4

commonest leukaemia in children?

Answer 4

ALL

Question 5

what type of paediatric brain tumour is not particularly malignant but grows slowly?

Answer 5

craniopharyngioma

Question 6

apart from an abdominal mass, what are some other clinical features which may make you think of neuroblastoma in a 5 yr old child?

Answer 6

limp
bone pain
hepatosplenomegaly
pallor
loss of weight and poor appetite
(signs of metastatic disease) :(

Question 7

what are some uncommon clinical features of a wilm’s tumour? (the common feature being abdominal mass)

Answer 7

Think AAAHH!

Anaemia
Abdominal pain
Anorexia
Haematuria
Hypertension

Question 8

what is the most common presentation of rhabdomyosarcoma in a child?

Answer 8

head and neck features like proptosis, nasal obstruction, bloodstained nasal discharge

Question 9

what are some long term consequences of having cancer as a child?

Answer 9

stunted growth
infertility
educational delay
brain surgery--> neuropsychological deficits
future malignancy from radiation
chronic ill health

Question 10

a child presents with generalised petechiae. What are your ddx?

Answer 10

HSP
Leukaemia
ITP
Sepsis
trauma
DIC