The lymphatic system is responsible for draining excess fluid from tissues and is involved in the immune system. Sometimes, parts of the lymph system can develop genetic mutations which cause the cells in the lymph nodes to divide abnormally quickly, leading to lymphomas. One type of lymphoma, called Hodgkin's lymphoma, can affect both children and adults, though the disease and its treatment is almost identical for both groups.
Frequency
Lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymph system, which is part of the body's immune system. There are two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Children are more likely to get non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but adolescents are more likely to be diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
Start
The lymph system extends throughout the body. Consequently, Hodgkin's disease in children (and in adults) can start in small parts of the lymph system (known as lymph nodes) anywhere in the body. Hodgkin's lymphoma usually begins in the upper part of the body (lymph nodes in the arm, chest, and neck), according to the American Cancer Society.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of Hodgkin's lymphoma is swollen lymph nodes. However, because lymph nodes can become swollen because the body is fighting an infection, other symptoms are important for a diagnosis. Other symptoms include a persistent fever and sweating at night. Patients may also experience fatigue and lose ten percent or more of their body weight. They may also have itching, loss of appetite, and have trouble breathing.
Types
There are two main kinds of Hodgkin's disease. The first is "Classical Hodgkin's," which accounts for 95 percent of all cases, according to the American Cancer Society. With classical Hodgkin's disease, a specific kind of cell, called a Reed-Sternberg cell, which is an abnormally large immune cell (called a B cell) can be seen under a microscope. The other main type is nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin disease, which typically affects the lymph nodes in the neck and under the arms.
Treatment
Hodgkin's disease has been extensively studied. Consequently, it is highly treatable. If the cancer is localized to only one part of the body, radiation therapy may work to eliminate the cancer. For Hodgkin's disease that has spread to other organs or throughout the lymph nodes, there are many chemotherapy regimens that have been shown to be highly effective.
