«The chances of a cure are very good today»

Around 220 children are diagnosed with cancer in Germany every year. Most of them are diagnosed with leukaemia. Unlike in the past, however, doctors like Felix Niggli can give these children a good prognosis.

Mr Niggli, what other forms of cancer are common in children besides leukaemia?

brain tumours and lymphoma. Occasionally, children are born with a tumour. Most diagnoses are made between the ages of two and six.

Why do children develop cancer?

In the majority of cases, we do not know the cause. Studies have shown that certain tumours occur more frequently in children with congenital malformations or syndromes. For example, children with trisomy 21, also known as Down's syndrome, develop leukaemia more frequently. There appears to be a connection with the genetic changes. There are also indications that infectious agents, for example, can be partly responsible for the development of leukaemia, especially if there is a corresponding genetic predisposition.

«The chance of recovery in children is 75 to 80 per cent».

Prof. Dr Felix Niggli, Head of the Oncology Department at Zurich Children's Hospital

But that doesn't mean that parents have to be afraid every time their child gets an infection?

Of course not. This is a very rare occurrence. It just needs this genetic predisposition. And as I said, we simply don't know the causes of the other forms of cancer.

What are the chances of curing cancer in children?

Very high. The rate is 75 to 80 per cent, compared with only 50 to 60 per cent for adults; however, this depends heavily on the type of cancer.

«Tumours that affect children respond very well to treatment».

Prof Dr med Felix Niggli

Why are the chances of recovery so much better in children?

Although tumours that affect children are very aggressive and grow quickly, they respond very well to treatment. In the majority of cases, we use drug-based chemotherapy for children, followed by surgery and radiotherapy. The therapy often lasts one to two years.

Do children suffer from secondary damage after therapy or as adults?

Unfortunately, this happens again and again. Some drugs cause hearing impairment or heart problems as they weaken the heart muscle. Other children suffer from developmental delays due to radiation, for example in the case of brain tumours. Or they develop cancer again in adulthood. Nevertheless, it remains to be said: Thanks to research, the chances of recovery are very good today. Back in the early 1950s, every child who contracted leukaemia also died from it.
Picture: fotolia.com

About the person:

Prof. Dr. med. Felix Niggli ist Abteilungsleiter Onkologie am Kinderspital Zürich und stellvertretender Klinikdirektor Medizin.
Prof. Dr Felix Niggli is Head of the Department of Oncology at the Children's Hospital Zurich and Deputy Clinic Director of Medicine.

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