Cancer in a 5 y/o

alliecouture · Mar 21, 2005

I am not a nurse yet, and can not offer any insight, but this little girl and her family are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to her. Situations like this are what makes me want to be a nurse. I would do anything I possibly could to help this little girl. For now, all I can offer is prayer.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 21, 2005

think that osteosarcoma is the type of cancer your talking about. here's some more info from kidsfirst.org webiste + others.recent studies have reported that survival rates between 60% to 80% are possible for osteosarcoma that hasn't metastasized, depending on the success of chemotherapy.

childhood cancer is relatively rare, affecting only about 14 of every 100,000 american children annually. among all age groups, the most common childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer. as children enter their teen years, there is also an increase in the incidence of osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma) is a bone forming cancer.

it is the most frequent type of bone tumour and is most common between the ages of 15 to 25. over 90% of tumours are located in the metaphysis (the growing ends of the bone), the most common sites are the bones around the knee which account for 80% of cases.

http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/guide2o.htm

childhood cancer: osteosarcoma

osteosarcoma faq - cancerindex

once they get definitive diagnosis, be glad to point you in the right direction.

jschut, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

Ok. She called me...

It is either

#1~ Sacral Coccygealteratoma

or

#2~ Rhabdomyoma

Dr's will determine which at the Children's Hospital. Hopefully, we'll hear some news tomorrow.

PS: Thanks NRSKaren....I appreciate your help...

and alliecouture....we can use all the prayers we can get at this point! Thank you.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

It is either
#1~ Sacral Coccygealteratoma
or
#2~ Rhabdomyoma

I'm so sorry to hear this about your friends child. I've never heard of the first. The second, yes. I believe it's rather rare (not that statistics make a difference when it hits home). Can't even recall anyone with it. Where are they going for treatment?

jschut, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

Riley Hospital in Indianapolis

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 22, 2005

isn't google great?

sacral coccygealteratoma

benign tumors

http://www.aans.org/education/journal/neurosurgical/aug03/15-2-14.pdf

rhabdomyoma:

http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/bondbook/softtissue/rhabdomyoma.html

http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/rhabdomyoma.htm

familiar with rhabdomoyma and tuberous sclerous mentioned here as my niece has this rare disorder.

wishing a full diagnosis soon so treatment can begin.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

If it's within the child's leg, it's likely some type of sarcoma. I hope everything turns out well for this kid.

jschut, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

My friend got this much out when she was trying to read me the report from the Dr.

The mass is from her L sacrum to L paraspinal musculature (something to that effect) and is in her spinal canal from L-4/L-5 throughout her sacrum.

She also said something about inguinal lymphnodes >1cm, but I didn't catch all that very well....

Thanks for your well wishes...it's greatly appreciated.

NurseRachy · Mar 22, 2005

oh my gosh - that is terrible news! :crying2: I'm so sorry to hear about that Julie. I'm keeping you both in my best wishes. Positive thinking ((((((((((Julielpn)))))))))))

Rachel