Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma(NHL)In Children

From WebHealth

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) In Children

NHL in children

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Burkitt's lymphoma

Introduction:

This type of childhood leukemia is different from the adult counter part. The childhood non hodgkins lymphoma is more diffuse, in other words not confined to lymph nodes.

[edit] Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

This is not the only childhood lymphoma, there are others more rare types. They are derived from cells that in the normal person would be natural killer cells.

These natural killer cells (also called "killer T cells") are the ones that normally kill viruses and cancer cells. T cell lymphoma is much more difficult to treat than the adult forms, which is usually a B cell lymphoma
(derived from antibody producing lymph cells or B cells).

Peak incidence is between 7 and 11 years of age. The onset is very similar to the picture described for ALL. However, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma seems to occur more frequently in the gastrointestinal tract and vomiting blood or abdominal pain due to abdominal involvement may be the first symptom. The work-up with blood tests will then reveal the real underlying disease. Treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma requires a specially trained hematologist usually in the setting of a children's hospital. Details would be too technical here. Your family doctor would be the one to translate the medical terms and the chemotherapy treatment protocol for you.

[edit] Burkitt's lymphoma

A special form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is Burkitt's lymphoma, which is common in Central Africa, but rare in the USA. Many children there are infected with malaria and when they get infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, there seems to be often a point reached with regard to the immune system where the immune cells degenerate into this form of non-Hodgkin's disease.

In childhood it often would start as a mass in the jaw or in the ovary of a girl. Often it also arises in the area where the small and large bowel connect (ileocecal valve). The abdominal mass gives the belly a protruding appearance. Quite often there is involvement of the liver, spleen, bone marrow and the central nervous system. Aggressive therapy by the best team of specialists in the setting of a Children's Hospital is often necessary to rescue these patients. The therapy might include surgical excision, chemotherapy (as it is a rapidly growing tumor) and supportive medical therapy.

Home page

Leukemia

Acute childhood leukemias

References:

1. Cancer: Principles &Practice of Oncology. 4th edition. Edited by Vincent T. DeVita, Jr. et al. Lippincott, Philadelphia,PA, 1993. Chapter on Acute Leukemia.

2. Cancer: Principles&Practice of Oncology. 5th edition, volume 2. Edited by Vincent T. DeVita, Jr. et al. Lippincott-Raven Publ., Philadelphia,PA, 1997. Chapter on Acute Leukemia.

3. Conn's Current Therapy 2004, 56th ed., Copyright © 2004 Elsevier

4. Ferri: Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, 2004 ed., Copyright © 2004 Mosby, Inc