Lymphoma is the third most common type of childhood cancer. It accounts for around 10% of childhood cancer diagnoses, affecting 160 children a year in the UK. Lymptoma is split into two main groups: Hodgkin lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Symptoms of Lymphoma
Chidlren with lymphoma can have a number of symptoms at diagnosis. They may include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes / non painful lumps in the armpits, neck or groin
- Recurrent fevers
- Night sweats or itching
- Weight loss
- Swollen stomach
- Cough or breathlessness
- Feeling unusually tired
Hodgkin lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is distinguished from other types of lymphoma by the type of cancer cell formed – the Reed-Sternberg cell. The exact cause of HL is unknown but there is increasing evidence that infections such as glandular fever may play a part.
-
HL accounts for 41% of all childhood lymphoma diagnoses
-
HL affects mainly older children
-
Boys twice as likely to be diagnosed as girls
-
Survival rates are very good at 96% 5 year survival
The mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy with around a half of children receiving radiotherapy as well.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
There are two main types of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): B cell and T cell NHL
-
NHL accounts for about 60% of lymphoma in children with around 85 children diagnosed evvery year in the UK
-
NHL is rare in babies
-
Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed with NHL as girls
-
Children diagnosed do relatively well with 88% 5 year survival
Treatment depends on how the stage of the tumour and the cell types. Generally, B cell NHL requires 4 to 8 courses of intensive chemotherapy, whereas treatment for T-cell NHL can take 2 years.
If you are reading this page:
If you are reading this page, the likelihood is that you are worried your child or a child close to you may have cancer. Alternatively, they may have recently been diagnosed. If you have any concerns or queries, please discuss them with a member of your child's health care team. If you are unsure, it is always better to have your child reviewed.
Content reviewed July 2021