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Hodgkin Lymphoma Case Studies

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Hodgkin Lymphoma, Pediatric

Hodgkin lymphoma, also called Hodgkin disease, is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body's defense system (immune system), which protects the body from infections, germs, and diseases. Hodgkin lymphoma often affects white blood cells and the lymph nodes.
Hodgkin lymphoma can spread from lymph node to lymph node and to areas of the body where there is lymph tissue, including to the center of the bones (bone marrow). Advanced Hodgkin lymphoma can spread into blood vessels and be carried almost anywhere in the body. For many children, this disease can be cured, especially if it is found early.
There are two types of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma:
• Classical Hodgkin lymphoma. …show more content…

CAUSES
The cause of this condition is not known.

RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in:
• Males.
• Children with a family history of the disease.
• Children with a history of infection from the Epstein-Barr virus.
• Children with a weakened immune system. This may be caused by a condition, such as HIV, or medicines.

SYMPTOMS
The first sign of this condition is often a painless swelling in a lymph node. The swelling may be felt in the neck, under the arm, or in the groin. Other symptoms may include:
• Fever.
• Night sweats.
• Feeling tired all the time.
• Cough.
• Shortness of breath.
• Itchy skin.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.

DIAGNOSIS
This condition may be diagnosed based on your child's medical history, a physical exam, and a procedure in which a tissue sample is removed from a lymph node and then examined under a microscope (biopsy).
Your child may also have other tests to find out how advanced the cancer is and whether it has spread. This is called staging. These tests may …show more content…

Treatment usually starts with one of the following:
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.
• A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
If chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not completely successful, treatment may include:
• Targeted therapy. This treatment targets specific parts of cancer cells and the area around them to block the growth and spread of the cancer.
• Very high doses of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Stem cells are cells that can develop into other types of cells.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child's health care provider.
• Make sure your child is getting enough sleep on a regular basis. During treatment, your child may need more sleep than usual.
• Try to make sure that your child maintains a healthy weight, eats a healthy diet, and exercises

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