Health News 11/07/2025 11:16

9 ‘Classic’ Symptoms Signaling Early-Stage Cancer in Children: Parents Should Take Their Child to the Hospital Immediately

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My younger sibling once had leukemia, but our family didn’t know. At first, it was just frequent nosebleeds, but we thought it was normal—kids are active, and nosebleeds happen. We didn’t think it was serious. It wasn’t until my sibling had high fevers and difficulty breathing that our parents rushed them to the hospital. By then, the doctors said it was already late-stage leukemia, no longer early. So parents, if your children or grandchildren show any of these signs, it’s better to have them checked early—better safe than sorry.

Common Symptoms of Childhood Cancer:

1. Frequent Nosebleeds
According to the Philippine Cancer Society, frequent nosebleeds in children can be a symptom of leukemia. About 93% of children with leukemia show this sign.

2. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Children with enlarged, painless lymph nodes—even when pressed—may be showing signs of lymphoma. About 40% of children with lymphoma have this symptom. This cancer is most common in children aged 10 to 14.

3. Sudden Weight Loss
When cancer cells appear in the body, they absorb nutrients that are meant to nourish healthy cells. This can lead to rapid, unexplained weight loss, even without any attempt at dieting. Dr. Belinda San Juan, MD, a nuclear medicine specialist from the Philippine Heart Center, notes that most cancer patients show this symptom.

4. Headaches, Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty breathing can signal leukemia, as cancerous cells in the blood can obstruct circulation, leading to reduced oxygen in the brain. Headaches can be a sign of brain cancer, caused by tumors pressing on nerves and tissues.

5. Appearance of Lumps
Lumps in the abdomen, limbs, or chest are warning signs of cancer. Abdominal lumps may indicate kidney cancer, while limb lumps may point to soft tissue sarcoma—a common childhood cancer.

6. Nausea, Frequent Fevers or Colds
Cancer can affect digestion, causing nausea or vomiting. Children with cancer often have weakened immune systems, making them more prone to frequent infections, fevers, and colds.

7. Sudden Behavioral Changes
If your child suddenly behaves unusually or differently, this may be a sign of brain cancer. Tumors can press on brain nerves and affect mood or personality.

8. Vision Loss or General Weakness
Brain tumors may compress the optic nerve, leading to blurred or lost vision. Dr. Abigail Pia L. Suntay, MD, DPPS from Asian Hospital and Medical Center, adds that tumors can weaken a child's overall health by attacking the immune system and other organs.

9. Seizures or Bone/Joint Pain
If your child suddenly has seizures or joint pain without injury, this could indicate a brain tumor. Take them to the hospital immediately.