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Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of your body's immune system. This cancer is most common in teenagers and young adults, but it can happen in younger children, too. In Hodgkin lymphoma, a certain type of white blood cell, called a B cell, grows out of control.
read more about hodgkin lymphoma in children ...Doctors do not know the exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma. It is not contagious and you cannot catch it from anyone. It is not caused by anything the parents or the child did. In some cases, there may be a link to a past infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mono), but most people with mono never get lymphoma.
The most common symptom is a swollen lymph node (or gland) that does not hurt. You might feel a lump in your child's neck, armpit, or groin. Other symptoms can include a fever that does not go away, drenching night sweats, and losing weight without trying. Some children also have a cough or itchy skin.
A doctor will first ask about your child's symptoms and do a physical exam. If they suspect lymphoma, they will order blood tests and imaging scans, like a CT scan or a PET scan. The only way to know for sure if it is Hodgkin lymphoma is with a biopsy. This is a small surgery where a doctor removes a swollen lymph node to look at it under a microscope.
Hodgkin lymphoma in children is a very treatable cancer. The main treatment is chemotherapy (chemo), which is medicine that kills cancer cells. This is often followed by radiation therapy, which uses high-energy beams to target any cancer that is left. The exact treatment plan will depend on how far the cancer has spread.
Once diagnosed, doctors determine the "stage" of the lymphoma to plan treatment. Staging looks at where the cancer is located relative to the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the belly). Stage I involves just one lymph node region. Stage II involves two regions on the same side of the diaphragm. Stages III and IV indicate the cancer has spread to both sides of the diaphragm or to organs outside the lymphatic system.
Yes. This is one of the most curable forms of childhood cancer. With modern treatment, the large majority of children and teens are cured and go on to live long, healthy lives.
No. It is a rare cancer in young children, but it is the most common cancer in teenagers (ages 15 to 19).
Chemotherapy often causes hair loss. The hair will fall out during the treatment, but it will grow back after the treatment is finished.
You should see your doctor if your child has a swollen lymph node that does not go away after a week or two, especially if it is not tender or painful. You should also see a doctor if your child has unexplained fevers, night sweats, or is losing weight. A doctor can check for any serious problems.