Lymphoma (clinicians)
About lymphoma
Lymphoma is the third most common type of childhood cancer.
It accounts for around 10% of childhood cancer cases and occurs in two main types: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
There are around 600 children and young people diagnosed with lymphoma each year in the UK (170 children and 430 young people).
Signs & symptoms
- Painless lymphadenopathy
- Fevers
- Night sweats or itching
- Weight loss
- Abdominal swelling or early satiety
- Cough or breathlessness
- Tiredness
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 infectious mononucleosis may play a part, especially when it occurs in children.Â
- HL accounts for 41% of all childhood lymphoma diagnoses
- It affects predominantly older children
- Male to female preponderance of 2:1
- Five-year survival rates are very good at 96%
​The mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy. A half of cases also require radiotherapy dependent on stage and histology.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has 2 forms: B cell NHL (usually in the abdomen, neck or head) and T cell NHL (usually in the chest).
- NHL accounts for about 60% of lymphoma in children
- Around 85 children are affected each year in the UKÂ
- NHL is rare in infants and has a male: female preponderance of 2:1
- Long-term immunosuppression is thought to be a risk factor for children to develop NHL
- 5-year survival is still relatively good compared to other childhood cancer types at 88%
​Treatment depends on stage and histology. B-cell NHL usually requires 4 – 8 courses of intensive chemotherapy, whereas treatment for T-cell NHL can take 2 years.
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