Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Childhood lymphoma

is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and glands. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid contains lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help fight infection and disease. Hodgkin lymphoma causes lymphocytes to grow and divide without control and to form tumors. Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in any lymph tissue in the body. Common places are lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and chest. Hodgkin cancer cells can travel from lymph node to lymph node and spread through the body.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Swollen lymph nodes in your child's neck, chest, underarm, or groin
• Fever, night sweats, or itchy skin
• Weight loss without trying, loss of appetite, or fatigue (being mentally and physically tired)
• A cough, trouble breathing, or chest pain

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child has chest pain.
• Your child has more trouble breathing than usual.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Call your child's oncologist if:

• Your child has a fever.
• A new lump develops in your child's body.
• Your child's bones or muscles hurt.
• Your child is vomiting and cannot keep any food or liquids down.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Treatment

will depend on your child's age and development. If your child has not gone through puberty and is not fully developed, treatment will center on chemotherapy (chemo). Your child may not get radiation, because radiation may prevent bone or muscle growth. Your child's healthcare provider will talk to you about the following treatments. The type of Hodgkin lymphoma your child has may also factor into the treatment decision.

• Chemotherapy is medicine used to treat cancer by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that contain cancer.
• Radiation therapy uses x-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer cells and may stop the cancer from spreading. It may be given alone or with chemotherapy.
• A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace your child's bone marrow with healthy marrow. Bone marrow is usually given from a donor. Your child's own marrow may be used if it is collected when the cancer is in remission (not active). The bone marrow transplant will be given in an IV while your child is in the hospital.
• Surgery may be used for some types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma. Your child's provider will remove some or all of any affected lymph nodes during surgery.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• prednisone
• Revlimid
• Velcade
• Adcetris
• Leukeran

View more treatment options

Care for your child:

• Have your child rest as needed. Your child should return to activities slowly, and do more as he or she feels stronger.
• Offer your child a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, nuts, whole-grain breads and cereals. Healthy foods will help your child get the protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients his or her body needs. You may need to change the foods your child eats depending on his or her treatments and side effects. Your child may also need to eat more calories than usual. Work with a dietitian to plan the best meals and snacks for your child. Ask if your child should take vitamins.
• Keep your child away from people who have a cold or the flu. Also try to keep your child away from large groups of people to decrease his or her risk.
• Talk to your older child about not smoking. Talk to your healthcare provider if your child needs help quitting. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Ask your child's provider for information before your child uses these products.

Follow up with your child's oncologist as directed:

Your child will need to see his or her oncologist for ongoing treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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