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What is Hodgkin lymphoma?

Lymphomas, both non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma, are the third most common cancer in children. Hodgkin lymphoma can occur at any time during life, but is found more often in adolescents than younger children.

There are no known environmental toxins that increase the risk of lymphoma in children. However, children who are born with or acquire conditions that affect the immune system are more likely to develop lymphomas. Having a sibling with lymphoma also slightly raises a child’s risk. Prior infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis) is also associated with a greater risk for lymphoma.

The term lymphoma refers to a group of cancers of the lymph system, which is made up of:

  • Vessels throughout the body that carry lymph (the colorless fluid from body tissue)
  • Organs such as lymph nodes, the spleen and the thymus which produce and store infection-fighting cells
  • The tonsils, stomach, small intestine and skin

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma can include:

  • Painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, groin or underarm area
  • Persistent fever
  • Night sweats
  • Weight loss
  • Itchy skin
  • Cough
  • Chest pain

Diagnosis

Your child’s doctor will do a physical exam — including checking for signs of the disease such as lumps in lymph nodes — and take a thorough medical history. If Hodgkin lymphoma is suspected, your child will undergo several or all of the following diagnostic tests to establish the diagnosis:

  • Surgical biopsy. Tissue must be removed to diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma. A sample of tissue is removed while your child is under general anesthesia, and the pathologist will examine the cells of the tissue under a microscope.
  • Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy. Bone marrow is removed from the bone (usually the hipbone) either by aspiration (suctioning a small amount through a hollow needle) or by biopsy (removing a small chip of bone).
  • X-rays. X-ray of the chest to look for presence of the disease.
  • Blood tests. Complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistries and tests for inflammation are done to look for evidence of disease and determine when a child is ready for therapy.
  • Other imaging scans. CT (computerized tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (positron emission tomography) scans may be conducted. These scans produce pictures of the body to show the extent of the disease.

After the tests are completed, members of the oncology team will discuss the results with you at a family meeting. Your child’s doctor will then discuss the treatment options for your child and make recommendations.

Treatment

The specific treatment options for Hodgkins lymphoma will depend on your child, the extent of the tumor and the results of studies on tumor tissue. The doctors may discuss a treatment plan with you that is a clinical trial run by the Children’s Oncology Group. Treatment may consist of chemotherapy (drugs that destroy cancer cells) and radiation therapy.

 

ABOUT THE ARMER FOUNDATION FOR KIDS:
Founded by Jennifer and Matt Armer in 2019, the Armer Foundation For Kids (a 501(c)(3) 84-2327428) works to reduce
financial barriers for families so that they can care for their children with chronic or life-altering diseases that can often
lead to unforeseen financial burdens. For more information and to see the children for which they are currently
fundraising, visit www.armerfoundation.org.

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