Pediatric oncology is a specialty discipline in medicine concerned with diagnosing and treating
children, usually up to the age of 18, with cancer. It is thought to be one of the most challenging of specialties because, despite successful treatment of many
children, there is a high mortality rate still associated with various types of cancers. Losing pediatricpediatricpediatric patients can be extraordinarily difficult, as it goes against the
normal course of life, and it takes strong-hearted
people to work in this vitally necessary area of medicine.
Doctors who choose to become pediatric oncologists take a slightly different course in their education, when compared to adult oncologists. After completing medical school, they become pediatricians, and once they are board certified to
work as pediatricians, they may choose to further specialize in oncology. It can take extensive study and about
14 years total of school to become a pediatric oncologist.
Though oncology for adults and
children are related, there are very different things about the two specialties.
Children respond quite differently to treatment, and they are best served medically when not viewed as “short adults.” There are many doctors and other medical workers who spend time doing research to determine the best possible methods of practice on the child when it comes to treating or diagnosing cancer
Another consideration in care is that
children very often come attached to families. Part of care has to include involving and educating families. The child will be reliant on caretakers to show up at appointments, remember medications and follow through on any other care instructions.
Many
parents report appreciating a holistic approach to the treatment of their
children that includes them in decision making and helps them understand how to best care for their kids. Clearly helping
parents to suffer less stress and confusion during this difficult time is of benefit to
children fighting difficult diseases. Pediatric oncology, while it may concern itself most with eradication of cancerous illness, may also need to reflect on how best to preserve a mentally healthy atmosphere for the child through providing parental support, as possible.
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