Environmental factors may contribute to the development of some childhood cancers

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-11/nu-efm110915.php

Public Release: 9-Nov-2015
Environmental factors may contribute to the development of some childhood cancers
Newcastle University

Environmental factors may be a contributory cause in the development of some childhood cancers, leading scientists have revealed.

Experts at Newcastle University, UK, have carried out pioneering analysis of neuroblastic tumours in children and young adults in northern England from 1968 to 2011.

Neuroblastic tumours are cancers of a special type of cell which is involved in the development of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord and they are predominantly seen in children under the age of five.

The results of the study have been published by the journal Environmental Health.

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The findings suggest that short-lived environmental factors may be involved in the development of the cancer. Exposures could include common infections such as influenza or possibly atmospheric pollution.

It is believed children would also require genetic changes to make them susceptible to the cancer. Experts say there is now the need for a larger national or international study to investigate the findings further.

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