10 Best Pediatric Oncologists in India - Updated 2022

Cancer in children is devastating. Diagnosis of cancer in a child is a catastrophic blow to the family members. However, pediatric oncologists in India have time and again restored faith and happiness in countless families by successfully treating their child and defeating the Big C. They offer evidence-based treatment options tailored specifically to the needs of each individual patient in order to ensure that the cancer is treated accurately and effectively while minimizing discomfort and side effects. In case you are looking for pediatric oncologists in India, here is a list of the best in the country.

What are the five most prevalent kinds of cancer in children?

The five most prevalent kinds of cancer in children are:

• Leukemia: It refers to cancer of the blood and bone marrow
• Brain and spinal cord tumors: Most brain tumours in children start in the lower parts of the brain, such as the brainstem or cerebellum.
• Neuroblastoma: This type of cancer starts in early forms of nerve cells found in a developing embryo or fetus. It develops in infants and young children, and is rare in children older than the age of 10 years. 
• Wilms’ Tumour: Also called nephroblastoma, it starts in one, or rarely, in both kidneys. The symptoms include a swelling or lump in the abdomen along with fever, pain, nausea, or poor appetite.
• Lymphomas: This type of cancer starts in the immune system cells called lymphocytes. It often starts in the lymph nodes or in other lymph tissues, like the tonsils or thymus. The two main types of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

Are childhood cancers inherited?

Some children inherit DNA changes (mutations) from a parent that increases the likelihood of certain types of cancer. These changes are present in every cell of the child’s body but only a few of these DNA changes are linked only with an increased risk of cancer. Other DNA mutations can cause other syndromes like health or developmental problems. 

Most types of cancer in children are not caused by inherited DNA changes. Cancer happens in children due to changes in the DNA in the early stage of life. When a cell divides into two new cells, it copies its DNA. At times, this process isn’t perfect, especially when the cells grow quickly. This kind of gene mutation can happen in a person at any point of time in life and is called an acquired mutation. Acquired mutations stay only in a person’s cancer cells and cannot be passed on to his/her children.