Pediatric Cancer Case Study

Pediatric Cancer

Chloe, a lymphoblastic leukemia survivor, was diagnosed at the age of 6 (Stbaldricks.org). Her family found out due to a knee scrape Chloe received after she fell. She returned to school the next day, as usual. Later on Chloe started to feel ill. She was picked up from school early to rest. Her mother noticed her knee had swollen up. Chloe was taken to the emergency room and from there they were guided to the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital. The Doctors found Choe’s thigh harshly bruised. They found a flesh-eating infection, it had spread through her leg, up to her torso. Doctors had to proceed to rush her into surgery to save her leg, as well as her life. Chloe went through 3 surgerys for the bacteria to get under control. That’s when her family came to find Chloe had lymphoblastic leukemia. Chloe’s knee wasn’t the problem, her immune system was just too weak to fight off skin bacteria. She was induced to start chemotherapy immediately. Doctors started Chloe on a chemotherapy regimen right away. Emily Kilpatrick, author of Chloe’s Story: Overcoming Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia stated, “Her parents didn’t know what was in store for their little girl.” (Stbaldricks.com). They wouldn’t give them much hope some days. For 3 months Chloe was hospitalized and attended physical therapy, many surgeries and skin grafts to reconstruct her leg. At the age of 8, Chloe was in remission, finishing up chemotherapy. She had returned to school too (Stbaldricks.org). Not all cancer patients are as fortunate as Chloe. Many aren’t able to afford their cancer treatment. Most of the funding for Leukemia is invested in research, rather than the patients in need of treatment.

The credit is originally given to ancient greeks to first recognize cancer in B.C.E. centuries (Rebecca Nelson). In 1847, Leukemia, a malignant cancer of the blood, was originally named. It often starts in the bone marrow but quickly and effectively gets in the bloodstream. Several types of Leukemias have been discovered years later. Their first attempt to treat it was with a patient’s twin brother blood transfusion (Nytimes.com). Another treatment that failed was Radium. In the 1930’s Leukemia was seen as inevitable death. According to the article Leukemia, 1899, “The many types of leukemia can be successfully treated, and sometimes cured, with chemotherapy, stem cell transplants and biological therapies that enhance the body’s immune system.” All the specialist that are involved are; medical and radiation oncologists, pediatric leukemia specialists, and hematologist, etc. (Nytimes.com). Leukemia commonly happens in children 2 to 8 year olds, but can affect any group age. Leukemia in children could be due to lifestyle related issues. Women that breastfeed evolve their child's immune system, which help respond to infections better. Children that didn’t receive that have a higher risk of being diagnosed with Leukemia.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has added $46 million to their existing funds for science medical institutions internationally. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has raised up to $1 billion in 70 years for cancer research (Mike Botta). They’ve been trying to raise money for a cure for years, so they claim. Some people respond to treatment but others don’t. They say research enables them to figure out what is driving the cancer. Mike Botta indicated, “The society will fund 23 new grants for the targeted approach to finding the right drug for the right patient at the right time.” (Pharmpro.com). Apparently there has to be a right time to finding a cure for someone that is on their deathbed, running out of time. A lot of these funding organizations are so focused on “finding a cure” knowing they’re never going to find what they’re searching for, or even care for it enough. I’d like to know what all of this accumulated funding money is being put to use for. Families and friends are suffering seeing their loved ones have to experience such a horrific disease. Many can’t even afford the extreme costs of cancer treatments. For that same reason it causes their death. Thousands of life’s could of been saved with money going into a research for a cure they’re not going to obtain. They’re wasting their time on searching for a cure, while they could be giving money to kids fighting off cancer to see a future for themselves.

Every year the prices for cancer Increase. New cancer drugs are priced up to $100,00 yearly or more (Liz Szabo). Thousands of patients skip their cancer treatment or delay it. Delays for a month are okay, but Oncologist start to worry if they further the delay more. They’re chances of survival could be less. One-third of patients were suppose to use Gleevec, but failed to fill their prescription within just a few months of being diagnosed. It's said to be a life saving leukemia medication. It’s cost is up to $146,000 a year (Npr.org). Such pricey medications are causing plenty of deaths. Even patients with insurance can face financial crisis when trying to pay for therapy. Doctors call it “financial toxicity”. Medicare patients with cancer waste 11 percent of their income for treatment on an average(As Drug Costs Soar, People Delay Or Skip Cancer Treatments). They don’t set a limit for what they pay out-of-pocket. It’s not fair for anyone that can’t afford treatment to just let themselves die.