Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. According to Yale New-Haven Children's Hospital, in the United States it's the third most common cancer in childhood. It tends to occur more frequently in boys. Although it can affect children of any age, it's most common in kids from age 7 to 11.
Types
According to the American Cancer Society, there are three main subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that occur in children. It's essential to determine what subtype a child has, since treatment may vary. Lymphoblastic lymphoma accounts for about 30 percent of the cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children. Burkitt's or non-Burkitt's lymphoma is the most common subtype and is diagnosed in 40 to 50 percent of children. The third subtype, which accounts for about 25 percent of diagnosed cases, is called large cell lymphoma.
Symptoms
Common symptoms may include fever, night sweats, decreased appetite and fatigue. The skin may itch and the child may have pain in the bones. If a mass has developed, additional symptoms may occur depending on the location. For example, a tumor in the chest may cause coughing and trouble breathing. Symptoms may progress rapidly, according to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Hospitals.
Diagnosis
There are several ways to diagnosis non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children. A chest X-ray can discover a mass in the chest. A computerized tomography scan is another test to spot tumors in the body. A biopsy of a piece of a lymph node is often performed. The tissue will be analyzed for the presence of cancer cells. A bone marrow biopsy is done to check for cancer cells in the marrow. To determine if the lymphoma has spread to the central nervous system, a lumbar puncture is done.
Stages
Once a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is made in a child, doctors determine how far the cancer has spread. This is known as staging. The cancer is considered stage one if there is only one tumor in the body. In stage two, there may be a second tumor, but it's on the same side of the body. With stage three disease, the child may have multiple tumors on both sides of the body, but no disease in the central nervous system or bone marrow. The last stage of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children is stage four and means the disease has spread to the bone marrow or central nervous system.
Treatment
Chemotherapy is the main type of treatment used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children, according to the American Cancer Society. A combination of drugs is usually given in cycles. This means the chemotherapy is given and followed by a period of recovery. The exact drugs and number of cycles depend on the subtype of the disease and stage of the cancer.
Surgery is usually only performed if a tumor is causing life-threatening problems, such as a large tumor causing an obstruction in the airway or intestines. Radiation therapy is also used to reduce tumor size, or if the disease has spread to the spinal cord or brain.
Tags: lymphoma children, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma children, bone marrow, central nervous