About this topic
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer in a part of the immune system called the lymph system. There are a number of types of this cancer. They are grouped by: ‚
- How fast the cancer grows: Slow growing or fast growing
- How the cells look under the microscope
Doctors can tell if your child has this disease by doing blood tests or a bone marrow biopsy. They may remove a sample of your childs lymph node for testing. They may also do an MRI or CT scan, ultrasound, or spinal tap. ‚
The doctor does tests to see if the cancer has spread. This is called staging. The stage will help the doctors know what treatment is best for your child. Your child may be given chemo, radiation, or immune treatment. Some patients may have a transplant of cells from the bone. Some children are treated in a clinical trial that tests new treatments. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Make sure to give your child all the drugs ordered by the doctor.
- If your child had a sample of a lymph node or bone taken, keep the cut clean and dry. Wash your hands before touching the cut or dressing. Change the dressing when it gets wet or as needed.
- Ask the doctor when it is safe for your child to take a bath or shower.
After chemo: ‚
- Your child will have hair loss. Your child may want to wear a hat or scarf to cover the head. Some children may want to wear a wig until the hair grows back.
- Your child may need more rest during treatment.
- Help your child avoid smells that are not pleasant. This may help to avoid an upset stomach.
- Help your child wash hands the right way. Have your child wash hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after touching pets.
- If your childs platelet counts are low, your child may bleed more easily. Have your child avoid blowing the nose. Have your child brush teeth gently.
- Try not to let your child's stools get hard. Ask the doctor about a stool softener.
- For mouth sores, have your child rinse the mouth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Do this 3 or 4 times each day.
After radiation: ‚
- Your child may lose hair on the treated area.
- Your child's skin may feel dry, itchy, and painful. Do not let your child scratch, scrub, or rub these areas.
- Do not let your child put anything hot or cold on the treated area.
- When giving your child a bath, use warm water and mild, unscented soaps. Pat your child's skin dry with a soft towel. Do not let your child use hot water when taking a bath or shower.
- Your child may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Have your child use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects from the sun.
- Your child's chance of getting an infection is higher than normal. Keep your child away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
- Your child may feel tired during the radiation treatment.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your childs condition needs close watching. The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office often to check on your child's progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Blood work will need to be checked. Other tests may be done to monitor if treatment works. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Treat the cancer
- Prevent side effects like an upset stomach or throwing up
- Help with pain
- Give more energy if red blood cells are low
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- If your child had surgery to take out a lymph node or place an I.V. catheter, your child may have to limit movement for a short time.
- Keeping active is helpful. Ask your doctor what amount of exercise would be good for your child.
- Have your child avoid contact sports or heavy exercise that may cause injury. Ask your doctor before letting your child start new activities.
What changes to diet are needed?
- It is important for your child to eat foods high in protein and calories. Give your child small meals more often. This may help to help prevent an upset stomach.
- Have your child drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This may help to prevent fluid loss and hard stools.
- Eating soft foods can help with swallowing problems.
- Cook foods properly. Do not let your child eat raw foods. Eat food stored in the refrigerator within 2 days.
- Avoid giving your child unpasteurized dairy products and ones that have molds like blue cheese.
- If your childs blood counts are low, the doctor may tell you to avoid giving your child fresh fruits and vegetables. If not, wash fruits and vegetables with care before peeling or eating them. Avoid raw sprouts.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Weakened heart
- Not able to have children
- Cancer may come back
- Treatment may cause other cancers in the future
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; chills; wound that will not heal; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge from the wound.
- Trouble breathing
- Throwing up that is not helped by drugs you are taking
- Changes in color of urine, burning, or you notice an odor to your childs urine
Helpful tips
- Join a support group. People who are going through the same troubles may help you cope with your childs illness.
- Do not let your child come in contact with babies and children who have been immunized for polio and chickenpox for at least 8 weeks after immunization.
- Ask your doctor for a summary of all treatment received.
- Treatment may cause your child not to be able to have children later on. Talk to the doctor about this and other late effects of treatment.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my child after chemo or radiation.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my child's diet, drugs, or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has a fever, trouble breathing, throwing up, or changes to the urine.
Where can I learn more?
American Cancer Society ‚
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkinlymphomainchildren/index ‚
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/child-non-hodgkins/Patient/page1 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚