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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