Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (Paediatric Hemato Oncology)

Acute
Malignant Hematology

What is Non Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the body's disease-fighting network. It includes the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland and bone marrow. White blood cells within the lymphatic system called lymphocytes change and grow out of control.

There are many types of lymphoma, but they are usually divided into two main categories: Hodgkin lymphoma (also called Hodgkin’s disease) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma). Lymphoma types are based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope and how the disease progresses.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma most often occurs in adults, but some types can occur in children. It usually occurs in children over 3 years of age and most often occurs in boys.

What are the signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Symptoms depend on the area of the body where cancer is found and how fast the cancer grows. Symptoms may include:

  • Trouble swallowing
  • Shortness of breath or unable to lay down flat
  • Persistent cough
  • Swelling in the abdomen
  • Night sweats
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained fever
  • Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, stomach or groin
  • Swelling of the head, neck, arms or upper body

These types of lymphoma grow quickly, and it’s important to find out which type a child has because the treatment for each type is different.

The most common types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occur in children include the following:

  • Lymphoblastic lymphoma
  • Burkitt lymphoma
  • Large cell lymphoma

These types of lymphoma grow quickly, and it’s important to find out which type a child has because the treatment for each type is different.

How is it diagnosed?

How is it diagnosed?

What tests are used to diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

Your child’s doctor will do a physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen, neck or under the arm. The doctor will also order tests to diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma and to see how widespread the lymphoma is within the body if your child does have non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This process is called tumor staging. Your child may need the following tests:

  • Blood tests
  • Chest X-rays
  • CT scan (or CAT scan)
  • Ultrasound A PET scan
  • MRI.
  • A lymph node biopsy
  • A bone marrow aspirate and biopsy

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