Be Vigilant About The Types Of Cancer Most Commonly Affecting Children In Indonesia

Be Vigilant About The Types Of Cancer Most Commonly Affecting Children In Indonesia

Friday, 07 Feb 2025

Cancer is a disease characterized by the abnormal or malignant growth of cells within an individual's body, which can affect various organs and tissues. This illness can occur in children, including those under the age of three. Unlike cancer in adults, which is often linked to lifestyle factors, the exact causes of cancer in children remain largely unknown, although genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a role.

In Indonesia, the most commonly diagnosed type of childhood cancer is leukemia, a blood cancer that targets white blood cells and disrupts the normal production of blood cells in the bone marrow. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, leukemia ranks first, with a total of 3,880 cases, accounting for approximately 34.8% of all childhood cancer cases.

"In Indonesia, the most prevalent cancer among children is leukemia or blood cancer," stated Dr. Eddy Supriyadi, Sp.A(K), Ph.D., the Head of the Hematology-Oncology Coordination Unit of IDAI, during a virtual media briefing on February 4, 2025.

In addition to leukemia, other types of cancer frequently observed in children in Indonesia include retinoblastoma (eye cancer), osteosarcoma (bone cancer), neuroblastoma (nervous system cancer), malignant lymphoma (lymph node cancer), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cancer in the area behind the nose and throat).

Early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial for improving the chances of recovery for children diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, in many cases, childhood cancer is identified only when the condition has progressed to a more severe stage. If treatment is delayed, the likelihood of recovery diminishes significantly. "Most cases are diagnosed at stages 3-4, making it very difficult to treat, or in other words, the probability of recovery decreases considerably if detected at an advanced stage. Conversely, if identified at an early stage, the chances of recovery exceed 95%," he explained.