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.
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:
Yes. The Hematologist will ask about your child’s symptoms and do an exam. They will also do:
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.
Treatment can include:
In most cases, proper treatment can cure Hodgkin lymphoma.
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.
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.”
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.
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: