Overview
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
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma might include:
Difficulty breathing
Fever and night sweats
Fatigue
Frequent viral infections
Itchy skin
Painless swelling of lymph nodes
Weight loss or decreased appetite
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:
Blood tests
X-rays
Gallium scan
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 might receive radiation therapy.
If the non-Hodgkin lymphoma is very aggressive, a bone marrow transplant could be an option.
UW Carbone Cancer Center 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.
Locations
Receiving care from the UW Health Kids | Carbone Cancer Center 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
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 | Carbone Cancer Center specialists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating all infants, children and adolescents with cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Our 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
When your child needs hospitalization, they will be admitted to American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wis.
Child life specialists help your child and family cope with any fears and anxieties. The American Family Children's Hospital Patient and Family Visitor Guide features information about:
Hero beads
Hospital school
Positive Image Center
Restoring Hope Transplant House (for blood and bone marrow transplant recipients)
Spiritual care services
Tyler's Place (sibling child care)
