Lymphoma

Menu

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a cancer of lymphocytes in which the cells divide and grow abnormally. The abnormal cells grow into a large collection of cells and when that grows big enough, it can be felt or seen on an x-ray or scans. When this occurs, a biopsy is done to determine the exact kind of lymphoma.

What are some of the different types of lymphoma?

There are two main types of lymphoma.

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) can affect children above 4 years of age, but is more frequently seen in adolescent and young adult patients. There are four main types of Hodgkin diseases:

• Nodular Sclerosing (most common form)
• Lymphocyte Predominant
• Mixed Cellularity
• Lymphocyte Depleted (least common form)

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a term applied to number of different types of lymphatic cancers. The type of NHL will determine the treatment the patient will need. The most common types of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas are:

• Burkitt’s lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Although it grows quickly, it is curable in a high percentage of people. Burkitt’s lymphoma grows predominantly in children and is also known as small non-cleaved cell lymphoma due to the distinct look of its cells under a microscope.
• Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is the most common lymphoma in children. Most of these lymphomas (80%) are T-cell lymphomas and the remainders are B-cell lymphomas. When a pathologist examines the lymphocytes under the microscope he or she can identify whether they are T cells or B cells. Lymphoblastic lymphomas occur predominantly in males and when found in adults typically occurs between 20 and 30 years of age. Most of the lymph nodes grow in the mediastimun (the front of the lungs).
• Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
• Anaplastic large cell lymphoma

What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

The most common symptom is enlarged lymph nodes called lymphadenopathy. These enlarged lymph nodes may or may not be painful and can be found anywhere on the body. Other symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty in breathing (shortness of breath)
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Visual disturbances

How is lymphoma diagnosed?

Lymphomas are diagnosed mostly by taking a small piece of the lymph node involved (biopsy) and sending it to the pathologist. The pathologist will then do special tests to determine the exact type of lymphoma. Other tests may include a bone marrow aspirate and/or biopsy that will show whether the lymphoma is involving the bone marrow. Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma will also need a spinal tap as a part of their diagnostic work-up.

How is lymphoma treated?

Hodgkin lymphoma is most commonly treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Most recently, immunotherapy has been added to the treatment protocols. Chemotherapy involves the use of medications to treat cancer. The exact combination of chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy agents used depends upon the type and stage of the lymphoma. Radiation therapy is rarely used to treat non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

What are some of the side effects from treatment?

Some patients experience more side effects than others, but this does not mean that they are treated any differently. Chemotherapy can cause upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, increased susceptibility to infections, low blood counts and may require blood and/or platelet transfusions. Red blood cell transfusions help to increase the amount of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying component of blood. Platelets may also be needed if the platelet count is too low. Platelets prevent serious bleeding and help with blood clotting.

Are blood transfusions safe?

Donated blood products are vigorously screened. Any donor with a history of high-risk behaviors is not permitted to donate blood at any time. All donated blood is screened for HIV and hepatitis before it is released for transfusion to a recipient.

What should my child/family tell others about the diagnosis?

It is important to let others know that lymphoma is not contagious and that it is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymphatic system. Also, be assured that the risk for the patient’s siblings to develop lymphoma is minimal. It is also important to always check with those coming in contact with the patient to make sure they have not been sick or around anyone else who has been sick in an effort to keep the patient safe and healthy.

Are there any short-term or long-term effects of lymphoma?

As with any cancer, prognosis and long-term survival can vary greatly from child to child. Every child is unique, and treatment and prognosis are structured around the child. Our After Cancer Treatment Survivorship Program provides continuous follow-up care to cancer survivors which is essential for monitoring and treating the potential late effects of radiation and chemotherapy and for screening for secondary cancers, which rarely can occur in lymphoma survivors. New methods are continually being discovered to improve treatment and to decrease immediate and long-term side effects of therapy.