title: Malignant disease in childhood: the problems in general practice.
abstract: The role of the family doctor with regard to malignant disease in childhood, can be summarized as follows: To act appropriately so that early diagnosis, which to an important degree determines the prognosis, is not delayed by a justifiably low index of suspicion. To assist the family, including the siblings, to cope with the severe emotional stress inherpent in the diagnosis of a malignancy in a child. To recognize the extreme danger of chicken pox and measles when contracted during chemotherapy, for cytotoxic drugs are also immune-suppressants, and appropriate immune globulins can be life-saving. To arrange for and cooperate in the support necessary when a child is nursed at home in the terminal stages.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007223:Infant; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D013727:Terminal Care; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis