Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a cancerous growth of cells in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps the body destroy and filter out bacteria and other harmful substances. Sometimes the B or T lymphocytes (white blood cells that hunt down bacteria & other germs) in the lymphatic system multiply uncontrollably, a cancerous condition.

In the US, childhood Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas make up about 5% of the 53,370 cases of NHL diagnosed each year. In contrast, 10% to 15% of the 7,880 cases of Hodgkin's Disease (another form of lymphoma) are diagnosed in those under 16.

There are many types of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, characterized by which type of lymphocytes in the body are cancerous and how they present themselves. Unlike the 29 or so adult non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, childhood NHLs fall into four broad categories (with percentage of occurrence): lymphoblastic lymphoma (30%), Burkitt's lymphoma (40%), Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (10%), and large B-cell lymphoma (20%).

What causes Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is still unknown. Incidence of NHL has continued to increase over the years. The current thinking is that there probably is a genetic factor and the cancer may not start without a "trigger" such as environmental factors. NHL is not contagious and the patient does not pose a risk to others in any way.

Resources

• American Cancer Society - What Are the Key Statistics for Childhood Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?
• US National Cancer Institute

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For more information on Childhood Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, please see the following pages:

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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