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Hodgkin lymphoma - children

Lymphoma - Hodgkin - children; Hodgkin disease - children; Cancer - Hodgkin lymphoma - children; Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma

 

Hodgkin lymphoma is cancer of lymph tissue. Lymph tissue is found in the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, liver, bone marrow, and other organs of the immune system. The immune system protects us against diseases and infections.

This article is about classical Hodgkin lymphoma in children, the most common type.

Causes

 

In children, Hodgkin lymphoma is more likely to occur between ages 15 to 19 years. The cause of this type of cancer is unknown. But, certain factors may play a role in Hodgkin lymphoma in children. These factors include:

  • Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that causes mononucleosis
  • Some diseases where the immune system does not work well
  • Family history of Hodgkin lymphoma

Common early childhood infections also may increase the risk.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:

  • Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin (swollen glands)
  • Unexplained fever
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Itching all over the body

 

Exams and Tests

 

The health care provider will take your child's medical history. The provider will do a physical exam to check for swollen lymph nodes.

The provider may perform these lab tests when Hodgkin disease is suspected:

  • Blood chemistry tests  - including protein levels, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and uric acid level
  • ESR (Sed rate)
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Chest x-ray, which often shows signs of a mass in the area between the lungs

A lymph node biopsy confirms the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.

If a biopsy shows that your child has lymphoma, more tests will be done to find out how far the cancer has spread. This is called staging . Staging helps guide future treatment and follow-up.

  • CT scan of the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis
  • Bone marrow biopsy
  • PET scan

Immunophenotyping is a laboratory test used to identify cells, based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cell. This test is used to diagnose the specific type of lymphoma by comparing the cancer cells to normal cells of the immune system.

 

Treatment

 

You may choose to seek care at a children's cancer center .

Treatment will depend on the risk group your child falls into. Other factors that will be considered include:

  • Your child's age
  • Gender
  • Treatment side effects

Your child's lymphoma will be grouped as low-risk, intermediate-risk, or high-risk based on:

  • The type of Hodgkin lymphoma (there are different forms of Hodgkin lymphoma)
  • The stage (where the disease has spread)
  • Whether the main tumor is large and classified a "bulk disease"
  • If this is the first cancer or if it has come back (recurred)
  • The presence of fever, weight loss, and night sweats

Chemotherapy is most often the first treatment.

  • Your child may need to stay in the hospital at first. But the chemotherapy drugs are typically given in a clinic, and your child will still live at home.
  • Chemotherapy is given into the veins (IV) and sometimes by mouth.

Your child may also receive radiation therapy using high-powered x-rays at cancer-affected areas.

Other treatments may include:

  • Targeted therapy that uses drugs or antibodies to kill cancer cells
  • High-dose chemotherapy may be followed by stem cell transplant (using your child's own stem cells)
  • Surgery to remove the cancer may be needed in some cases

Having a child with cancer is one of the hardest things you will ever deal with as a parent. Explaining what it means to have cancer to your child will not be easy. You will also need to learn how to get help and support so you can cope more easily.

 

Support Groups

 

Having a child with cancer can be stressful. Joining a support group where other parents or families share common experiences may help ease your stress.

  • American Childhood Cancer Organization - www.acco.org
  • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has support groups for families and patients -  www.lls.org

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Hodgkin lymphoma is curable in most cases. Even if this form of cancer returns, chances of a cure are good.

Your child will need to have regular exams and imaging tests for years after treatment. This will help the provider check for signs of the cancer returning and for any long-term treatment effects.

 

Possible Complications

 

Treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma may have complications. Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy may appear months or years after treatment. These are called " late effects ." It is important to talk about treatment effects with your health care team. What to expect in terms of late effects depends on the specific treatments your child receives. The concern of late effects must be balanced by the need to treat and cure the cancer.

Continue to follow up with your child's doctor to monitor and help prevent these complications.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Contact your provider if your child has swollen lymph nodes with a fever that stays for a long time or has other symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma. Call your child's provider if your child has Hodgkin lymphoma and has side effects from the treatment.

 

 

Open References

References

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Lymphoma - Hodgkin - childhood. Cancer.net Web site. Updated March 2015. www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lymphoma-hodgkin-childhood . Accessed June 9, 2016.

Hochberg J, Giulino-Roth L, Cairo MS. Lymphoma. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. 2016:chap 496.

National Cancer Institute. Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. Cancer.gov. Web site. Updated March 31, 2016. www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/hp/child-hodgkin-treatment-pdq . Accessed June 9, 2016.

National Cancer Institute. Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma treatment (PDQ) - patient version. Cancer.gov. Web site. Updated December 16, 2015. www.cancer.gov/types/lymphoma/patient/child-hodgkin-treatment-pdq . Accessed June 9, 2016.

 

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            Review Date: 8/1/2016

            Reviewed By: Adam S. Levy, MD, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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