n WHAT IS NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA? Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that develops from cells that make up the lymph system. The lymph system includes specialized cells and organs, such as lymph nodes, the spleen, tonsils, and bone marrow. These are located in various places around the body and are responsible for helping to protect the body from infection. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can start anywhere in the body but is most often located in the head/neck, chest, or abdomen (belly).
The Lymph System
Tonsil
Neck (cervical) lymph nodes
Thymus
Armpit (axillary) lymph nodes
Spleen
Groin (linguinal) lymph nodes
n WHAT TYPES OF NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA OCCUR IN CHILDREN? There are three main types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that occur in children. Small B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one type; it is also known as “Burkitt’s lymphoma.” This type accounts for 30%–40% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases and usually starts in the abdomen, or belly. Another type of mature B cell lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), is more commonly found in adults, and the incidence increases with age in both males and females. Lymphoblastic lymphoma (sometimes called T-cell lym- phoma) accounts for approximately 30% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is most often found in the chest. It can also be found in lymph nodes. Large cell lymphoma, the third type, accounts for approximately 30%–35% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and can be found in the lungs, bones, and skin as well as lymph nodes.
1
Powered by FlippingBook