Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children

Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system, specifically in white blood cells, which are designed to fight infection and protect the body from disease. Hodgkin is a type of lymphoma. It is characterized by the presence of a type of cell called Reed-Sternberg. There are two main types:

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

Nodular lymphocyte predominant-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Causes of Hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma starts when a certain type of white blood cells, called B-cells, start to grow abnormally. This abnormally-shaped cell is called the Reed-Sternberg cell, and is much larger than a normal cell. Reed-Sternberg cells grow and start to divide, creating more abnormal cells, which in turn prevent the immune system from doing its job of protecting the body, as these cells don’t fight infections like normal cells do.

The exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown, but several risk factors have been identified that may increase the risk of developing it:

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common viral infection that causes a disease called mononucleosis
Family history

However, having one of these risk factors does not mean that a person will definitely develop Hodgkin lymphoma.

Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma

Painless swelling in the lymph nodes
Swelling of the head, neck, upper body or arms
Fever
Unexplained weight loss
Night sweats
Persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Wheezing

These symptoms could also be indicative of other conditions, so please consult a doctor if your child is experiencing any of them.

Diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma

A biopsy is necessary to make a correct diagnosis and to determine subtype of the disease
Chest X-ray
CT scan of the involved areas and internal organs to detect the spread of cancer, especially in the chest and abdomen
PET scan via a machine that combines images of CT and PET scans for more accuracy
Bone marrow biopsy
Blood tests: ESR, complete blood count (CBC), and kidney and liver function tests

Treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma at KHCC

No two patients are alike even if they have the same type of lymphoma. Each case is approached differently.

Most patients will need a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In refractory cancer or cases of relapse, patients usually undergo bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplants with good results. Surgery is not usually an option for Hodgkin lymphoma.