How Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosedĪs lymph glands can swell for lots of reasons, a biopsy is carried out to diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma. Sometimes, a child with Hodgkin lymphoma may have a high temperature (fever), night sweats, weight loss or itchy skin. This is caused by the pressure the glands exert on the airways. If glands in the chest are affected, this can cause a cough or breathlessness. However, it’s important to remember that children’s glands can also become swollen when they have a common infection that causes a sore throat or a cold. The first glands that are likely to be affected are in the neck or above the collarbone, most often only on 1 side. The first sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is usually a painless swelling of 1 gland, or a group of lymph glands, which continues for some weeks or even months. Very rarely, more than one member of a family may develop Hodgkin lymphoma but it is not inherited from parents and you cannot catch it from another person. Poor immunity may also be a risk factor for developing the disease. However, there is increasing evidence that infections, such as the virus that causes glandular fever, may play a part in the development of Hodgkin lymphoma, especially in childhood. In most people that develop Hodgkin lymphoma, no cause is found. The exact cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is not known. Although these are both types of lymphoma, there are differences between them, which means they need different treatment. There are 2 main types of lymphoma: non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). In some parts of the body, there are very few lymph nodes, whereas under your arm there may be 20 to 50. The number of lymph nodes varies from one part of the body to another. Glands can swell in these areas as part of the body’s response to infection, not just cancer, which is why a biopsy is needed to diagnose lymphoma. The other areas where lymph nodes are likely to swell are above the collar bone, the armpit, the groin and inside the chest. Lymphomas can start anywhere in the lymphatic system, but Hodgkin Lymphoma is most likely to start in the lymph nodes in the neck. Lymph nodes are connected by a network of tiny lymphatic vessels that contain lymph fluid.
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The lymphatic system is made up of the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes (or lymph glands). The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, the body’s natural defence against infection and disease. This information is about classical Hodgkin lymphoma, but it includes a short section about LPHL. There are 2 main types of Hodgkin lymphoma: classical Hodgkin lymphoma, which affects 95% of patients, and Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (LPHL), which only affects 5% of patients. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the lymphatic system. Your child’s specialist will give you more detailed information and, if you have any questions, it’s important to ask the specialist doctor or nurse who knows your child’s individual situation. Understanding more about the cancer your child has, and the treatments that may be used, can often help parents to cope. At times it can feel overwhelming, but there are many healthcare professionals and support organisations to help you through this difficult time. It’s devastating to hear that your child has cancer. There are new and better drugs and treatments, and we can now also work to reduce the after-effects of having had cancer in the past. More children than ever are surviving childhood cancer. It can affect children at any age but is more common in older teenagers and young adults. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. Links to other sites are provided for information only – they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
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