Information about Childhood Hodgkin LymphomaThis type of cancer usually develops in lymph system which is a part of immune system of the body. Ideally, the lymph system comprises of the lymph, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, thymus and bone marrow.

About Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

Ideally, Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma may occur in both adults and children. The kind of treatment given to children is a little different to the treatment given to adults. As far as Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma is concerned, there are two kinds of this disease.

Types of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma- This one has four subtypes, which are based on the appearance of cancer cells when looked under the microscope. These include the lymphocyte classical lymphoma, mixed cellularity Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphocyte depleted Hodgkin lymphoma. Risk factors for Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma include gender, age and infection by the Epstein- Barr virus.

Risk factors and symptoms

A couple of risk factors make one more vulnerable to getting this disease compared to other people. Those aged between 15 and 19 years have a high risk and it is commonly found in girls compared to boys. Children aged below 5 years are also at a high risk and boys in this age group are at a risk than the girls. The next risk factor is infection by Epstein Barr virus and having a family friend who has Hodgkin lymphoma. Various signs of this disease include fever, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss and night sweats. It is important that you consult your doctor immediately you start experiencing signs such as swollen, painless lymph nodes in your chest, groin or underarm, night sweats, fever, itch skin and unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosing Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

A couple of tests are conducted when it comes to diagnosing Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma. The first one involves physical examination and history where signs of diseases like lumps are checked. Then there is lymph node biopsy where a part of the lymph node or all of it is removed. Others include excisional biopsy, incisional biopsy, core biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy etc. The tissues are viewed under the microscope where cancer cells are looked.

Chance of recovery for Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

The prognosis of Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma/ chance of recovery are affected by certain factors and the treatment options availed. Prognosis usually depends on stage of cancer, symptoms of the patients upon being diagnosed, size of tumor and how fast it will shrink after the initial treatment is provided, certain features of cancer cells, whether the cancer is just newly diagnosed, has recurred or come back or doesn’t seem to be responding to the initial treatment provided. The kind of treatment that you get will depend on the gender and age of the child and the risk of the long term side effects. Fortunately, most children newly diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma get cured.