Childhood Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

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

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Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains lymph vessels, lymph nodes, and glands, such as the spleen and thymus. Lymph vessels carry lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid contains lymphocytes (white blood cells) that help fight infection and disease. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma causes lymphocytes to grow and divide without control and to form tumors. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in any lymph tissue in the body. Common places are lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and chest. Cancer cells can travel from lymph node to lymph node and spread through the body. Childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma usually affects older children. Some types are rare in children of any age.

Common signs and symptoms:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, arm, or groin
• Trouble breathing, or a cough
• Feeling weaker or more tired than usual
• Fever, itchy skin or a rash, or night sweats
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen and pain in the lower back or in both legs
• Weight loss without trying

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

• Your child has chest pain.
• Your child has more trouble breathing than usual.
• Your child has a seizure.
• Your child cannot think clearly, or feels confused.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your child is too dizzy to stand, or has trouble keeping his or her balance.
• Your child's legs swell.
• Your child feels weak or numb on one side of his or her body.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Call your child's oncologist if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child has back pain and weakness in his or her legs.
• Your child has chills, a cough, red or swollen skin, or feels weak and achy.
• 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 non-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 to treat cancer.
• A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace your child's diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow. Your child may be given bone marrow 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 is given to your child in an IV while he or she is in the hospital.

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 healthcare 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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