Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma or Lymphatic cancer in children
Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma is a malignant disease that is characterized by the formation of cancer cells in the lymphatic system responsible for the defense of the organism against diseases. Know the symptoms as well as the diagnosis of lymphatic cancer in children.
We also tell you what is the best way to detect this cancer early in children and what tests are used in the diagnosis of lymphatic cancer in children.
How to detect lymphatic cancer in children
Lymphoma is a term we know to describe cancer that begins in the cells of the lymphatic system. Childhood Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the lymph system of the children. There are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is often cured, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma will depend on the specific type of disease.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the third most common cancer in children (after leukemia and brain tumors), and it is a type of cancer that forms in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system, responsible for protecting the body of the child from foreign substances, infections, and diseases. The best way to detect this cancer early is to look at its possible signs and symptoms, and take children to the doctor when something is concerning.
The medical checkups regular and thorough are important for children, especially for those with known risk factors for non – Hodgkin lymphoma, such as:
- Hereditary immune deficiencies.
- Organ transplant or previous cancer treatment.
- HIV infection.
Symptoms and signs of lymphoma in children
Among the most well-known symptoms of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the following stand out:
- Enlarged lymph nodes (which look or feel like masses under the skin). This type of symptom usually presents as a non-painful enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, which causes the appearance of a lump usually located in the neck, the upper part of the chest (seen if an X-ray is done ), armpit, abdomen, or groin.
- Swelling of the abdomen.
- Feeling of a full belly after eating only a small amount of food.
- Cough or shortness of breath.
- Fever.
- Weight loss.
- Itching on the skin.
- Night sweats, while the child is asleep.
- Tiredness (feeling of being very fatigued and exhausted).
Tests to diagnose lymphoma in children
Children generally do not develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but parents and doctors need to be aware of the possible symptoms and signs of lymphoma. Suspecting that a child has lymphoma, some tests will be necessary to confirm this:
A blood test to diagnose lymphatic cancer in children
The blood tests measure the amounts of certain types of cells and blood chemistries. These tests are not used to diagnose lymphoma, but they may be one of the first tests done in children with symptoms to help the doctor find out what is happening. If your child has been diagnosed with lymphoma, sometimes these tests can also help show how advanced the lymphoma is. [1]
Medical history and physical exam
The doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and how long they have been present. The doctor may also ask if there is a history of possible risk factors, such as problems with the immune system.
Biopsy Tests to diagnose lymphatic cancer in children
A doctor cannot diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a child based solely on symptoms or a physical exam. Most non-Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms can be caused by other problems such as infections, but they could also be caused by other types of cancer. The only way to confirm this is by removing some or all of the abnormal lymph node (or tumor) for examination under a microscope and other laboratory tests.
This procedure is called a biopsy. The biopsy can be surgical (excisional or incisional) or with a needle. The sample obtained will be observed under a microscope and a series of laboratory tests will be performed that can determine the type of lymphoma.
Imaging Tests to diagnose lymphatic cancer in children
tests Imaging tests use X-rays or X-rays, sound waves, magnetic fields, or radioactive substances to take pictures of the inside of the body. They are used to identify possible causes of certain symptoms (such as shortness of breath ), to help determine the stage (extent) of the lymphoma, to indicate if treatment is effective, and to detect possible signs of lymphoma that return after treatment.
According to The Guide to Lymphoma. Information for Patients and Caregivers, ‘by the Leukemia Lymphoma Society,’ Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is projected to account for 4 percent of all cancers diagnosed in children and adolescents under 15 years of age.