Young People With Cancer
A Handbook for Parents
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
Acknowledgments
Although many people have played a role in the development of this guide, the most important contribution has come from those it is intended to serve- the parents and family members of young cancer patients, the patients themselves, and the caregivers who treat them.This publication has benefited from the wealth of information provided through the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and the parents' groups in its communication system, the review and assistance of professionals who treat young people with cancer, and the insights, review, and openness of young cancer patients and their parents. Although they are too numerous to name, their contributions are grate fully acknowledged.
1. Introduction
2. The Disease
- What is a blast?
- What happens in leukemia?
- Kinds of leukemia in young people
- Diagnosis and treatment
- What happens in leukemia?
- What is a solid tumor?
- Kinds of solid tumors in young people
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy and its side effects
- Controlling the side effects from chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Side effects of radiation therapy and controlling them
- New treatments
- Unconventional methods of cancer treatment
- Surgery
- Infections
- Activities
- Diet
- Immunizations
- Other medications
- Mouth care
- Dental care
- Bleeding
- Transfusions
- Activities
3. Tips for Clinic Visits and Medical Procedures
- Angiograms
- Biopsy
- Blood studies
- Scans or radioisotope studies
- Ultrasound studies
- Bone marrow aspiration
- Computerized tomography
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Lumbar puncture
- Scans or radioisotope studies
- Ultrasound studies
- Biopsy
4. Coping With Cancer
- Parents initial reactions
- Accepting the diagnosis
- Telling your child
- Age-related concerns of children
- Reassuring your child
- Telling the brothers and sisters
- Accepting the diagnosis
- The parents
- The patient
- Siblings
- Family and friends
- Finances
- The patient
- Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
- American Cancer Society
- Leukemia Society of America Inc.
- Cancer Information Service
- PDQ Database
- Ronald McDonald Houses
- Home Care for the Dying Child
- American Cancer Society