Hodgkin Lymphoma
What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma (which used to be called “Hodgkin’s disease”) is a type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer of white blood cells called “lymphocytes.”
Normally, lymphocytes help the body fight infection. When children have lymphoma, their lymphocytes become abnormal, grow out of control, and travel to different parts of the body.
The abnormal cells often collect in bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. This can make the lymph nodes swell. They can also affect other parts of the lymphatic system, such as the spleen.
Hodgkin lymphoma happens more often in teens than in younger children.
What are the symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma?
You might see or feel a swollen, painless lymph node under your child’s skin.
Swollen lymph nodes are usually in the neck, above the collar bone, or in the armpit or groin.
Lymph nodes deeper in the body can also become swollen and cause symptoms. For example, swollen lymph nodes in the chest can cause a cough, trouble swallowing, or trouble breathing.
Other symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma can include:
- Feeling very tired
- Fever
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Drenching sweats
Is there a test for Hodgkin lymphoma?
Yes. The Hematologist will ask about your child’s symptoms and do an exam. They will also do:
- Blood tests
- A lymph node biopsy – During a biopsy, a doctor will remove 1 of the swollen lymph nodes. It will be examined under a microscope to see if lymphoma cells are present.
What is lymphoma staging?
Lymphoma staging is a way in which doctors find out how far the lymphoma has spread in the lymphatic system or in the body.
Hodgkin lymphoma usually starts in lymph nodes in the neck or chest. If the cancer spreads, it usually spreads to nearby lymph nodes, and then to organs such as the spleen or liver.
To check how far Hodgkin lymphoma has spread, the doctor will do an exam, blood tests, and imaging tests. Imaging tests, such as CT and PET scans, create pictures of the inside of the body.
The HEMATOLOGIST might also do a bone marrow biopsy. For this test, a doctor takes a small sample of bone marrow (the tissue in the middle of your child’s bones). The sample is then examined under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
The right treatment for your child will depend a lot on the stage of their Hodgkin lymphoma.
How is Hodgkin lymphoma treated?
Treatment can include:
- Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is the medical term for medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Doctors use different chemotherapy medicines to treat Hodgkin lymphoma. The HEMATOLOGIST will work with you and your child to choose the ones that are right for your child.
- Radiation therapy – Radiation kills cancer cells. It is used along with chemotherapy for some people with Hodgkin lymphoma.
In most cases, proper treatment can cure Hodgkin lymphoma.
What happens after treatment?
After treatment, the HEMATOLOGIST will check every so often to see if the Hodgkin lymphoma comes back. Follow-ups can include talking with the doctor, exams, blood tests, and imaging tests.
You should also watch your child for the symptoms listed above. Having those symptoms could mean the lymphoma has come back. Tell the HEMATOLOGIST if your child has any symptoms.
What happens if the Hodgkin lymphoma comes back?
If the lymphoma comes back, your child might have more chemotherapy, radiation, or a bone marrow transplant. This is sometimes called a “stem cell transplant.”
What else should my child and I know about treatment?
Some treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma can cause certain medical problems in the future.
Talk with your child’s HEMATOLOGIST about these problems, so that you know what to watch for. Your child should also be seen regularly by a HEMATOLOGIST who will check them for these problems later on.
What else should I do?
It’s important to follow all of the HEMATOLOGIST instructions about visits and tests. It’s also important to let the doctor know if your child has any side effects or problems during treatment.
Hodgkin lymphoma treatment can involve making many choices, such as what treatment your child should have and when.Always let the doctors and nurses know how you feel about a treatment. Any time your child is offered a treatment, ask:
- What are the benefits of this treatment?
- Is it likely to help my child live longer?
- Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?
- What are the downsides to this treatment?
- Are there other options besides this treatment?
- What happens if my child does not have this treatment?
Dr SURAJ CHIRANIYA AND TEAM IS KNOWN FOR HANDLING ALL THE STAGES OF HODGKINS LYMPHOMA IN CHILDREN AND DID SUCCESSFUL BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS WHEN NEEDED .
HAPPY TO SHARE ONE SUCCESSFUL STORY OF RATE CASE OF HLH .
