Overview

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a term that refers to several, very different types of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system. Lymphoma begins when cells in the lymph system change and grow uncontrollably, which may form a tumor.

The lymph system is made up of thin tubes that branch out to all parts of the body. Its job is to fight infection and disease. The lymph system carries lymph, a colorless fluid containing lymphocytes (white blood cells). Lymphocytes fight germs in the body. B-lymphocytes (also called B-cells) make antibodies to fight bacteria, and T-lymphocytes (also called T-cells) kill viruses and foreign cells and trigger the B-cells to make antibodies.

Groups of bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes are located throughout the body at different sites in the lymph system. Lymph nodes are found in clusters in the abdomen, groin, pelvis, underarms, and neck. Other parts of the lymph system include the spleen, which makes lymphocytes and filters blood; the thymus, an organ under the breastbone; and the tonsils, located in the throat.

Because lymph tissue is found in so many parts of the body, NHL can start almost anywhere and can spread to almost any organ in the body. It most often begins in the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen, but can also involve the stomach, intestines, skin, thyroid gland, or any other part of the body.

This section covers NHL in children. Learn more about adult NHL.

Types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children

There are three major categories of NHL in children. They are distinguished from one another by how the cells look under a microscope.

Burkitt’s lymphoma. This type of B-cell lymphoma affects the bone marrow and is one of the fastest growing cancers. It most often develops in the abdomen and may spread to other organs including the brain. Burkitt’s lymphoma accounts for about 40% of NHL in children in the United States.

Large cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (LCL). LCL, which accounts for about 35% of NHL, may develop in the throat, abdomen, lymph tissue of the neck, or near the thymus (behind the breastbone). LCL is further classified into subtypes. The most common subtypes of LCL include large B-cell lymphoma (20%), which develops from B-cells, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL-15%), which develops from T-cells.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL). LBL accounts for about 25% of all NHL. It most often develops in the chest area behind the breastbone (near the thymus gland) and can spread to the surface of the brain, the bone marrow, other lymph nodes, and the membranes surrounding the heart and lungs. LBL occurs more often in teenagers than in young children. Boys are more likely to develop LBL than girls.

Statistics

In 2009, an estimated 460 children (younger than 15 years old) in the United States will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. NHL accounts for about 4% of all childhood cancer. It occurs more often in boys than girls. The overall five-year relative survival rate (the percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) for people younger than 20 with NHL is 86%.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of cases of this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with childhood NHL. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer.

Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society.

Find out more about basic cancer terms used in this section.