Pediatric non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): The care your child needs today

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 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

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:

• Blood tests

• X-rays

• Computerized tomography (CT scan)

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Bone scan

• Position emission tomography (PET) scan

• Gallium scan

• Bone marrow aspirate/biopsy

• Lumbar puncture

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. 

Fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders

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.

Search our clinical trials

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.

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.

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)

• Spiritual care services

• Tyler's Place (sibling child care)