Lymphoma
Lymphoma is the third most common type of childhood cancer. It accounts for around 10% of childhood cancer diagnoses and is split into two main groups: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Currently there are around 600 children and young people diagnosed with lymphoma each year in the UK (170 children and 430 young people each year).
Symptoms of Lymphoma
Children with lymphoma can have several symptoms at diagnosis. They may include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes / non painful lumps in the armpits, neck or groin
- Recurrent fevers
- Night sweats or itching
- Weight loss
- Swollen stomach
- Cough or breathlessness
- Feeling unusually tired
Hodgkin lymphoma
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.
- HL accounts for 41% of all childhood lymphoma diagnoses
- HL affects mainly older children
- Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed as girls
- Survival rates are very good at 96% 5-year survival
​The mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy with around a half of children receiving radiotherapy as well.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
There are two main types of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): B cell and T cell NHL
- ​NHL accounts for about 60% of lymphoma in children with around 85 children diagnosed every year in the UK
- NHL is rare in babies
- Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with NHL as girls
- Children diagnosed do relatively well with 88% 5-year survival
​Treatment depends on how the stage of the tumour and the cell types. Generally, B cell NHL requires 4 to 8 courses of intensive chemotherapy, whereas treatment for T-cell NHL can take 2 years.
If you are reading this page
If you are reading this page, the likelihood is that you are concerned that your child or a child you know may have cancer. Alternatively, you may have a child that has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
You can find out more on the links below, but if you have any concerns or queries, please ensure that your child is reviewed by a doctor.
Page reviewed November 2022
