DOHA: On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has advised parents to watch out for persistent and unexplained headaches in very young children, especially those under five.
It could be nothing but it is important to rule out any more serious conditions such as a brain tumour, which is the second most common childhood cancer worldwide.
World Cancer Day was observed across the globe yesterday. The theme, ‘Not Beyond Us’ looked at early detection of cancers and keeping healthy and universal treatment for patients.
Dr Shadwa El Sayed Kishk, Specialist, Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Section, HMC, said it is unusual for young children to complain of headaches, especially persistent headaches (occurring on most days).
“If a child is having such symptoms they should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional as it could be a symptom of something more serious. Persistent and unexplained headaches are one of the main symptoms of brain cancer.”
Dr Kishk specialises in patients with brain tumours; an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the central nervous system (the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord).
Children in this age group may be unable to describe how they feel, so parents are advised to be vigilant for signs such as when an infant holds her head or neck, presses on her temples or tries to keep her head very still and seems withdrawn or agitated.
The child may experience vomiting, difficulty standing or walking, poor coordination, confusion or disorientation, seizures, weakness and slurred speech. Among babies, a rapidly enlarging head could also be a symptom of a brain tumour.
“If a child tries to hit their head against a wall or other objects, this may be because their head hurts and not because of temper tantrums. This needs closer observation, especially if there is also vomiting, double vision or decreased ability to see clearly, and weakness or numbness,” said Dr Kishk.
While headaches among very young children could be due to other conditions such as impairment of vision or hearing, anaemia or a cold, parents should also be aware of the possibility of a brain tumour. “Parents should urgently seek medical advice if their child is woken up from sleep by headaches or if there is unexplained vomiting while they are awake,” said Al Kishk.
The site, type, grade and spread of the tumour when diagnosed will determine the patient’s prognosis.
“Treatment for patients with a brain tumour includes multiple forms of therapy provided by multi-disciplinary professionals through our Neuro-Oncology Programme. The collaborative work is important in decreasing deaths and disability and improving quality of life among people living with the effects of a brain tumour,” she said.
The Peninsula
