Lymphoma

<p>Lymphoma is the third most common type of childhood cancer. It accounts for around 10% of childhood cancer diagnoses, affecting 160 chidlren a year in the UK. Lymptoma is split into two main groups: Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>Symptoms of Lymphoma</h4><p>Chidlren with lymphoma can have a number of symptoms at diagnosis. They may include:</p><ul><li>Enlarged lymph nodes / non painful lumps in the armpits, neck or groin</li><li>Recurrent fevers</li><li>Night sweats or itching</li><li>Weight loss</li><li>Swollen stomach</li><li>Cough or breathlessness</li><li>Feeling unusually tired</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>Hodgkin lymphoma</h4><p>​Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is distinguished from other types of lymphoma by the type of cancer cell formed – the Reed-Sternberg cell. The exact cause of HL is unknown but there is increasing evidence that infections such as glandular fever may play a part.</p><ul><li><p>HL accounts for 41% of all childhood lymphoma diagnoses</p></li><li><p>HL affects mainly older children</p></li><li><p>Boys twice as likely to be diagnosed as girls</p></li><li><p>Survival rates are very good at 96% 5 year survival</p></li></ul><p>​The mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy with around a half of children receiving radiotherapy as well.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>Non-Hodgkin lymphoma</h4><p>​There are two main types of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): B cell and T cell NHL</p><ul><li><p>​NHL accounts for about 60% of lymphoma in children with around 85 children diagnosed evvery year in the UK</p></li><li><p>NHL is rare in babies</p></li><li><p>Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with NHL as girls</p></li><li><p>Children diangosed do relatively well with 88% 5 year survival</p></li></ul><p>​Treatment depends on how the stage of the tumour and the cell types. Generally, B cell NHL requires 4- 8 courses of intensive chemotherapy, whereas treatment for T-cell NHL can take 2 years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>If you are reading this page:</h4><p>If you are reading this page, the likelihood is that you are worried your child or a child close to you may have cancer. Alternatively, they may have recently been diagnosed. If you have any concerns or queries, please discuss them with a member of your child's health care team. If you are unsure, it is always better to have your child reviewed.</p>

<p>Lymphoma is the third most common type of childhood cancer. It accounts for around 10% of childhood cancer diagnoses, affecting 160 chidlren a year in the UK. Lymptoma is split into two main groups: Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.</p> <p> </p> <h4>Symptoms of Lymphoma</h4> <p>Chidlren with lymphoma can have a number of symptoms at diagnosis. They may include:</p> <ul><li>Enlarged lymph nodes / non painful lumps in the armpits, neck or groin</li> <li>Recurrent fevers</li> <li>Night sweats or itching</li> <li>Weight loss</li> <li>Swollen stomach</li> <li>Cough or breathlessness</li> <li>Feeling unusually tired</li> </ul><p> </p> <h4>Hodgkin lymphoma</h4> <p>​Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is distinguished from other types of lymphoma by the type of cancer cell formed – the Reed-Sternberg cell. The exact cause of HL is unknown but there is increasing evidence that infections such as glandular fever may play a part.</p> <ul><li> <p>HL accounts for 41% of all childhood lymphoma diagnoses</p> </li> <li> <p>HL affects mainly older children</p> </li> <li> <p>Boys twice as likely to be diagnosed as girls</p> </li> <li> <p>Survival rates are very good at 96% 5 year survival</p> </li> </ul><p>​The mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy with around a half of children receiving radiotherapy as well.</p> <p> </p> <h4>Non-Hodgkin lymphoma</h4> <p>​There are two main types of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): B cell and T cell NHL</p> <ul><li> <p>​NHL accounts for about 60% of lymphoma in children with around 85 children diagnosed evvery year in the UK</p> </li> <li> <p>NHL is rare in babies</p> </li> <li> <p>Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with NHL as girls</p> </li> <li> <p>Children diangosed do relatively well with 88% 5 year survival</p> </li> </ul><p>​Treatment depends on how the stage of the tumour and the cell types. Generally, B cell NHL requires 4- 8 courses of intensive chemotherapy, whereas treatment for T-cell NHL can take 2 years.</p> <p> </p> <h4>If you are reading this page:</h4> <p>If you are reading this page, the likelihood is that you are worried your child or a child close to you may have cancer. Alternatively, they may have recently been diagnosed. If you have any concerns or queries, please discuss them with a member of your child's health care team. If you are unsure, it is always better to have your child reviewed.</p>