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Hodgkins Lymphoma in Children

Hodgkin's lymphoma is a form of cancer that attacks the body's lymphatic system, which is an important part of the immune system. The lymphatic system helps to fight off infections and disease. When a child has Hodgkin's lymphoma, the lymphatic cells reproduce abnormally. This causes the lymph nodes to swell and interferes with the immune system's ability to protect the body from infection. According to the Boston Children's Clinic, Hodgkin's lymphoma makes up approximately 5 percent of all childhood cancers and is more common in boys.

  1. Types

    • Hodgkin's lymphoma is divided into four different types. Nodular sclerosing is the most prevalent type of Hodgkin's lymphoma and is found in more girls than boys. This type of lymphoma begins in the lymph nodes located in the chest or above the chest. Sometimes this type of lymphoma may spread to the lungs.

      Lymphocyte predominant is type of Hodgkin's lymphoma that occurs more often in males. It progresses slowly and typically begins in lymph nodes that are located under the arms and those in the ear, neck and groin area.

      Mixed cellularity is another type of Hodgkin's lymphoma that more often affects males. This type of Hodgkin's lymphoma is sometime associated with HIV or the Epstein-Barr virus. It usually first appears in the stomach and spleen lymph nodes.

      The rarest type of Hodgkin's lymphoma is called lymphocyte depleted. This type of lymphoma usually begins int he abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes. It usually occurs older males who have underlying diseases.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of Hodgkin's vary from child to child, but most will have at least some of the common symptoms. The lymph nodes under the arms and in the neck, chest and groin area may appear noticeably swollen. If the chest lymph nodes are severely swollen, breathing may be difficult. Other symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma include fever, fatigue, night sweats, itchy skin and loss of appetite. Also, children with Hodgkin's lymphoma generally experience frequent viral infections.

    Staging

    • As with most cancers, Hodgkin's lymphoma is divided into stages, which indicate the severity of the disease. Hodgkin's lymphoma is classified as stage 1 when only one lymph node group is affected. Stage 2 occurs when two or more than two groups of lymph nodes are affected. Stage 3 occurs when lymph nodes are affected both above and below the diaphragm area. When the cancer spreads outside of the lymph nodes, the disease is classified as stage 4. In addition to staging, the letter A or B will follow the stage number to indicate whether or not symptoms are present. A indicates that no symptoms are present and B indicates that the disease is causing symptoms.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Hodgkin's lymphoma may be diagnosed using a combination of urine tests, blood tests, X-rays, CT scans and biopsies of the lymph nodes and bone marrow. Treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Also, tumors may be removed surgically. Stem cell transplants may also be used to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. According to MacMillan Cancer Support, approximately nine out of every 10 children with Hodgkin's lymphoma recover completely with proper treatments.

    Complications

    • Complications associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma include reduced bone growth and later problems with the heart and lungs. Also, children with Hodgkin's lymphoma may be more likely develop other types of cancers as they grow older.

      Treatments for Hodgkin's lymphoma may also be responsible for some complications. Chemotherapy may cause infertility, especially in boys.

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