Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
Lymphoma is the third most common cancerin children after Leukemia and brain tumor. There are two types of Lymphoma – Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL).
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL):
NHL accounts for 7-10% of cancers in children. There are 4 different types of NHL in children. Signs and symptoms varies depending on the type of NHL.
- Burkitt Lymphoma: Most common subtype(30-50%) and aggressive disease. Usually present as abdominal mass or acute pain abdomen with features of intestinal obstruction in young children specially below 5 years of age.
- Lymphoblastic lymphoma: It makes up approximately 20% of childhood NHL. Majority are T cell type. Usually present as mediastinal mass with breathing difficulty, cough, swelling of neck and face, pleural effusion (fluid in chest wall).
- Diffuse large B cell lymphoma: usually seen in older children and can present as lymph node enlargement in the neck, chest, abdomen or groin area.
- Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: It is not a common type of NHL and is aggressive in nature, seen commonly in older children.
Diagnosis:
Biopsy of the enlarged lymph node or lymph nodal mass is required to confirm the diagnosis and also to find out the type of NHL. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular tests are required to confirm the type of NHL.
PET CT scan is done to look for the spread of the disease and for staging the disease.
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is necessary to look for involvement of the bone marrow by the lymphoma cells.
CSF analysis is done to look for any spread of disease to the brain
Relevant blood tests and 2D echo is done as part of work up.
Treatment:
All the types of NHL will be treated with intensive chemotherapy which continues for 4-6 months depending on the type of disease and stage of disease. Chemotherapy protocols are different for each type of NHL, therefore it is very important to find out the type of NHL by the immunohistochemistry and molecular test.
Monoclonal antibody called Rituximab is also used along with chemotherapy in some cases.
Radiation therapy is rarely used in children, specially in case of residual disease and in palliative cases.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is indicated in relapse cases.
For enquiries, bookings or support, call us at +91-96508 06846
Need help? Get a call back from our support team
Contact Us
