Hodgkin Lymphoma—Child

Definition

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a series of tubes and nodes that run through the body. It holds a fluid that helps fight infections and moves waste out of the body.

This cancer starts in a type of lymph cell called a lymphocyte. These cells spread throughout the lymphatic system. Over time, the cells will make it harder for a child's body to fight infections.

The Lymphatic System.

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Causes

The exact cause is not known. It may be a mix of genetics and an abnormal response to infection.

Risk Factors

This problem is more common in males. It is also more common in people between the ages of 15 and 34 years or over 55 years.

Other things that may raise the risk are:

• A history of mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Family history of Hodgkin lymphoma
• Having a weakened immune system from problems such as HIV/AIDS

Symptoms

A person with non-Hodgkin lymphoma may have:

• Painless swelling in the neck, armpit, groin, or chest
• Tiredness
• Lack of hunger
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Night sweating
• Itchy skin

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the lymph nodes.

Tests may be done to look for signs of cancer. This can be done with:

• Blood tests
• Lymph node biopsy
• Bone marrow biopsy

Images of the body may need to be taken to see if there is cancer in other parts of it. This can be done with:

• X-ray
• CT scan
• Positron-emission tomography scan (PET scan)
• MRI scan

Hodgkin's lymphoma in children has 4 stages. This describes how far the cancer has spread. Stages 1 and 2 mean the cancer has not gone far from where it began growing. Stages 3 and 4 means the cancer has spread in the body.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to get rid of the cancer. How this is done depends on the stage of the disease.

Options are:

• One or both of these cancer therapies:
  • Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells using medicines
  • Radiation aimed at a specific area to kill cancer cells
• Surgery to remove a lymph node
• A bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplant to help the body rebuild healthy lymph cells

Prevention

Hodgkin's lymphoma cannot be prevented.