Pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: Nationally recognized expertise

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer of the white blood cells that develops within the lymphatic system. It begins in the lymph nodes of the neck or chest and then spreads from one part of the lymphatic system to another. In Hodgkin lymphoma, the tumors usually contain unique cells called Reed-Sternberg cells. These large cancer cells are not seen in other lymphomas.

Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma may include:

• Difficulty breathing

• Fever and night sweats

• Fatigue

• Frequent viral infections 

• Itchy skin 

• Painless swelling of lymph nodes 

• Weight loss or decreased appetite

Diagnosis

If Hodgkin lymphoma is suspected, your child’s medical history will be reviewed, and a full physical examination will be done. Your child’s doctor will then remove a sample of tissue while your child is under general anesthesia. This is called a lymph node biopsy. 

Other tests that might be done include:

• Blood tests

• Chest X-ray

• Computerized tomography (CT scan)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Bone marrow biopsy

• Position emission tomography (PET) scan

Treatment for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma may include:

• chemotherapy

• immunotherapy

• bone marrow transplant

• radiation therapy

Fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders

Our UW Health Kids Cancer Care specialists offer the most advanced treatment options. Our pediatric cancer and blood disorder experts are national research leaders. We test new therapies and continue to work on therapies for pediatric cancer and blood disorders. For many children with rare or hard-to-treat conditions, clinical trials provide new options.

Search our clinical trials

Receiving care from the UW Health Kids hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant program at American Family Children’s Hospital means you have access to the knowledge and skills of many medical and support specialists for your child’s complex health diagnosis like cancer.

Our UW Health Kids pediatric oncologists are part of the UW Carbone Cancer which is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This designation means that our doctors taking care of your child are experts in cancer treatment, research and education.

There are services available at both American Family Children’s Hospital and in the community to help patients and their families through every step of their journey.

Child life specialists help your child and family cope with any fears and anxieties, and the American Family Children's Hospital patient and family visitor guide features information about:

• Health psychology

• Hero beads

• Hospital school

• Positive Image Center

• Spiritual care services

• Tyler's Place (sibling child care)