Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children

Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children

Hodgkin lymphoma, also called Hodgkin disease, is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s defense system (immune system), which protects the body from infections, germs, and diseases. Hodgkin lymphoma often affects white blood cells and the lymph nodes.

Hodgkin lymphoma can spread from lymph node to lymph node and to areas of the body where there is lymph tissue, including to the center of the bones (bone marrow). Advanced Hodgkin lymphoma can spread into blood vessels and be carried almost anywhere in the body. For many children, this disease can be cured, especially if it is found early.

There are two types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma:

  • Classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Nodular lymphocyte-predominate Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL).

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in:

  • Males.
  • Children with a family history of the disease.
  • Children with a history of infection from the Epstein-Barr virus.
  • Children with a weakened immune system. This may be caused by a condition, such as HIV, or medicines.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The first sign of this condition is often a painless swelling in a lymph node. The swelling may be felt in the neck, under the arm, or in the groin. Other symptoms may include:

  • Fever.
  • Night sweats.
  • Feeling tired all the time.
  • Cough.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on your child’s medical history, a physical exam, and a procedure in which a tissue sample is removed from a lymph node and then examined under a microscope (biopsy).

Your child may also have other tests to find out how advanced the cancer is and whether it has spread. This is called staging. These tests may include:

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests, such as:
    • Chest X-ray.
    • CT scan.
    • MRI.
    • PET scan.
  • A biopsy of bone marrow to see if the disease has spread to the bone marrow.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on your child’s age, the type of Hodgkin Lymphoma your child has, and how advanced the cancer is. Treatment usually starts with one of the following:

  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.
  • A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

If chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not completely successful, treatment may include:

  • Targeted therapy. This treatment targets specific parts of cancer cells and the area around them to block the growth and spread of cancer.
  • Very high doses of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Stem cells are cells that can develop into other types of cells.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
  • Make sure your child is getting enough sleep on a regular basis. During treatment, your child may need more sleep than usual.
  • Try to make sure that your child maintains a healthy weight, eats a healthy diet, and exercises regularly.
  • Consider finding a cancer support group for you or your child, especially if you are struggling with the stress of dealing with cancer.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important during and after treatment.
    • Make sure your child gets all immunizations recommended by his or her health care provider.
    • Make sure your child has regular cancer screenings as recommended.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your child’s symptoms worsen or return.
  • Your child has a fever, muscle aches, or chills.
  • Your child has bone or muscle pain.

Get help right away if:

  • Your child has chest pain.
  • Your child has trouble breathing.
  • Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
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