Overview
About pediatric Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a disease where cancer cells form in the lymphatic system and start to grow uncontrollably. As they grow, they affect the body’s ability to fight infection.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Recognizing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma signs and symptoms
Symptoms of non-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 non-Hodgkin lymphoma is suspected, your child’s medical history will be taken, and a full physical examination will be done. Your child’s doctor will then remove a sample of tissue while your child is under anesthesia. This is called a lymph node biopsy.
Other tests that might be done include:
Treatment
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treatment
Treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children is determined by how much the cancer has affected the body. The most common treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is chemotherapy but some children may receive radiation therapy.
If the non-Hodgkin lymphoma is very aggressive, a bone marrow transplant may be done.
Fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders
Our UW Health Kids Cancer Care specialists we 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.
Locations
Care for your child
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.
Meet our team
An experienced team providing your child with the care they deserve
Your child’s care is our top priority and we understand the unique needs they have. Your child’s team will include:
Oncologists/hematologists
Nurse practitioners
Child Life specialists
Physical, occupational and speech therapists
Radiologists and radiation technologists
Social workers
Surgeons
UW Health Kids Cancer Care specialists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating all infants, children and adolescents with cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Our UW Health Kids oncologists are part of the UW Carbone Cancer Center which is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This designation means that the doctors taking care of your child are experts in cancer treatment, research and education.
Patient and support services
You’re never alone
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)
Additional resources
Pediatric cancer services
With our expertise comes compassion. Our team considers you and your child part of our family. We will be by your side every step of the way. From diagnosis through treatment and into adulthood, we will care for your child as if they are our own.
Learn more