Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in the lymph system, which is part of the body's immune system. The lymph system is made up of the following:
The two types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma are:
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is divided into four subtypes, based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope:
Signs of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma
Signs of childhood hodgkin lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by childhood Hodgkin lymphoma or by other conditions. Check with a doctor if your child has any of the following:
Risk Factor of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your child’s doctor if you think your child may be at risk. Risk factors for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma include the following:
Being exposed to common infections in early childhood may decrease the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma in children because of the effect it has on the immune system.
Treatment
Treatment of Hodgkin disease in children is slightly different from the treatment used for adults. Children’s bodies tend to tolerate chemotherapy better in the short term than adults do. But some side effects are more likely to occur in children. And because some of these side effects could be long-term, children who survive their cancer need careful attention for the rest of their lives.
Since the 1960s, most children and teens with cancer have been treated at special centers designed for them. Being treated in these centers offers them the advantage of having a team of specialists who are experienced with the differences between adult and childhood cancers, as well as the unique needs of children with cancer. This team usually includes pediatric oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, pediatric oncology nurses, and nurse practitioners. Childhood cancer centers also have psychologists, social workers, child life specialists, nutritionists, rehabilitation and physical therapists, and educators who can support and educate the entire family.
Most children with cancer in the United States are treated at a center that is a member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). All of these centers are associated with a university or children’s hospital. As we have learned more about treating childhood cancer, it has become even more important that treatment be given by experts in this area. In these centers, doctors treating children with Hodgkin disease often use treatment plans that are part of clinical trials. The purpose of these studies is to find the most effective treatment that causes the fewest side effects.
- Bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue in the center of large bones. Bone marrow makes white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
- Lymph nodes: Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and store white blood cells that help fight infection and disease. Lymph nodes are located along the network of lymph vessels found throughout the body. Clusters of lymph nodes are found in the underarm, pelvis, neck, abdomen, and groin.
- Lymph vessels: A network of thin tubes that collect lymph from different parts of the body and return it to the bloodstream.
- Lymph: Colorless, watery fluid that travels through the lymph system and carries white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes protect the body against infections and the growth of tumors.
- Spleen: An organ that makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells. The spleen is on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.
- Thymus: An organ in which lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone.
- Tonsils: Two small masses of lymph tissue at the back of the throat. The tonsils make lymphocytes.
The two types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma are:
- Classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
Classical Hodgkin lymphoma is divided into four subtypes, based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope:
- Lymphocyte-depleted Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Lymphocyte-rich classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma.
Signs of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma
Signs of childhood hodgkin lymphoma include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by childhood Hodgkin lymphoma or by other conditions. Check with a doctor if your child has any of the following:
- Anorexia.
- Fatigue.
- Fever for no known reason.
- Itchy skin.
- Night sweats.
- Pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol.
- Painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, chest, underarm, or groin.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
Risk Factor of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your child’s doctor if you think your child may be at risk. Risk factors for childhood Hodgkin lymphoma include the following:
- Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
- Being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Having a personal history of mononucleosis ("mono").
- Having certain inherited diseases of the immune system.
Being exposed to common infections in early childhood may decrease the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma in children because of the effect it has on the immune system.
Treatment
Treatment of Hodgkin disease in children is slightly different from the treatment used for adults. Children’s bodies tend to tolerate chemotherapy better in the short term than adults do. But some side effects are more likely to occur in children. And because some of these side effects could be long-term, children who survive their cancer need careful attention for the rest of their lives.
Since the 1960s, most children and teens with cancer have been treated at special centers designed for them. Being treated in these centers offers them the advantage of having a team of specialists who are experienced with the differences between adult and childhood cancers, as well as the unique needs of children with cancer. This team usually includes pediatric oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, pediatric oncology nurses, and nurse practitioners. Childhood cancer centers also have psychologists, social workers, child life specialists, nutritionists, rehabilitation and physical therapists, and educators who can support and educate the entire family.
