Lymphoma In Children
Lymphoma is common in children. Childhood lymphoma is usually noticed by a parent or a doctor as any enlargement in the neck, abdomen, groin, underarm region. Sometimes, it can go unnoticed, as enlargement of organs in infants are often associated with infections.
If lumps are detected, the child is generally given antibiotic for a period of two weeks to check if there is any decrease in size of the tumor. If there is no decrease then a biopsy is performed. If the lymph nodes continue to expand and there is deterioration in the health of the child then immediate action is taken.
The child could have lymphoma if the following symptoms are noticed:
- A sudden fever and bad health
- Exposure to contagious diseases often.
- Migraines, headaches and unusual pain in different parts of the body.
- Discomfort during walking or doing any physical activity.
- Difficulty during urination and constant constipation.
- Red irritable patches and swollen areas
- Vomiting.
- Blurred vision and problems with eyesight.
- Bleeding in stools, urine and vomit.
- Depression or a aggressive behaviour.
If your child has lymphoma, you should call their physician each time you have a question that needs answering. If you’re uncertain about whether any new features should be reported, then you should liaise with their doctor.
According to the authorities on Cancer, you should let your doctor know if your child has any symptoms you have been told are associated with Lymphoma.
Children having lymphoma are cured most of the time. More than half the children affected with the disease live for five years or longer. The surety rate is about 60-100% in the case of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 80-98% in the case of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Most treatments of children through clinical trials have proved to be very successful. The most common treatment is chemotherapy using a combination of drugs. Radiation therapy is generally avoided in children but if the disease spreads to the brain and central nervous system it is used. If there is a recurrence of the cancer then stem cell transplantation and high doses of chemotherapy are recommended
Clinical trials
Children are most responsive to treatment of Lymphomas. Hence clinical trials with newer drugs are often recommended for children and also regarded as a safer option. The child’s response is carefully monitored and comparisons are made with standard treatment methods. Moreover, children respond differently to drugs compared to adults. The drugs used on the children are usually tested in labs and on adults before they are administered.
It is important that parents understand the implications of clinical trials before they put their children through it. They must ask all the questions that need to be asked as the children are not competent to ask them. Some of the questions that need to be asked are:
- What are the different types of clinical trials can my child undergo?
- Is it the best option? Is it absolutely necessary?
- What are the different phases of the trial?
- What are the costs of participating?
- What are the risks?
- What will be the possible side effects?
- How long will be the treatment?
- What exactly will the treatment be?
- Is there a follow-up care?
- If something goes wrong during the trial will I be entitled to anything?
- What are the various supports available to my family and my child?
Finding out that your child has Lymphoma can be a devastating experience. The child is too small to understand the implications. You are not. However, remember your child is extremely sensitive to your moods and reactions and your despair will communicate to him and he will be racked by nameless fear. If you are unable to cope with the problem, it is important for you and your child that you contact the nearest support group to help you through the trauma. Ask the right questions and communicate confidence and hope to your child. Since most children respond very quickly to treatment, you have no cause for despair!
