Although it is the most common type of cancer in children, it can be cured, and in this article we will talk about how to treat lymphoma in children.
Lymphoma, medically known as lymphoma, is a group of cancerous diseases that affect the lymphatic system, which is an essential part of the immune system.
Lymphoma is the third most common type of cancer that affects children, and with the recent development of therapeutic methods, it has become possible to cure this disease. In the following, we will explain the general methods used in treating lymphoma in children:
There are different types of lymphoma, which are divided into two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The main difference between these two types is the presence of abnormal cancer cells called Reed-Sternberg cells when examined microscopically. The presence of these cells indicates Hodgkin''s lymphoma, and their absence indicates non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma.
Although both types are common in children, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common among children, and despite the many types of lymphoma, there are effective treatment plans that contribute to treating the majority of children with this disease.
In general, treatment of lymphoma in children depends on many basic factors, which include the following:
Type of lymphoma.
Stage of disease.
Choose the type of treatment plans that contribute to complete recovery from the disease.
Choose appropriate treatment plans that help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of serious complications associated with treatment.
In general, lymphoma in children can be treated in one of the following ways
1. Basic treatment
The following are the basic general methods used in treating lymphoma in children
Chemotherapy, which is the first option for treating lymphoma, is done through the use of powerful drugs that contribute to fighting cancer cells.
Targeted treatment is carried out through the use of some medications that are directed at cancer cells only, without causing significant damage to healthy cells. These medications are called monoclonal antibodies.
Radiation therapy is done by exposing the body to high-energy X-rays to suppress the growth of cancer cells or kill them.
2. Relapse treatment
Children who have not responded effectively to basic treatment or children whose disease recurs can be treated with high doses of chemotherapy in addition to a stem cell transplant, and the child may also need to undergo radiation therapy.
Harmful effects of treating lymphoma in children
All methods used to treat lymphoma in children can cause many harms and complications, and the following are the most prominent of them:
1. Short-term complications
Short-term complications of treatment include
Mouth ulcers.
Nausea or vomiting.
diarrhea.
Lack of appetite.
General fatigue.
Hair loss.
Anemia.
Increased risk of bleeding.
Increased risk of infection.
Feeling depressed.
2. Long-term complications
Treating the lymph nodes may cause some serious complications that may appear in the long term in some patients, which include the following:
Heart disease.
Thyroid disorders.
Kidney failure.
Infertility.
Infection with other types of cancer.
In general, the specialist doctor may determine some effective treatment plans to confront these complications or even reduce the risk of developing them.
Supportive treatments for lymphoma
Treatment of lymphoma in children may cause a group of complications, which can be controlled by the following:
Giving pain-relieving or fever-reducing medications.
Giving antibiotics, if the child becomes infected.
Giving medications to prevent vomiting or nausea.
Performing a blood transfusion in case of severe anemia.
Important tips about treatment
Children with lymphoma suffer from many frustrating psychological problems, whether as a result of the disease or as a result of treatment. Thus, parents can help their children overcome this ordeal by doing the following:
Giving the child emotional and psychological support.
Including the child in a rehabilitation program that helps reduce psychological problems.
Encouraging the child to practice sports activities.
Balancing periods of rest and activity.
Paying attention to the child’s nutritional health. A nutritionist may help with this.
Encouraging the child to attend periodic medical follow-up.
Protect the child as much as possible from infection by taking care of the child’s hygiene, urging him to wear a face mask in public places, and washing hands well with soap and water.
Encourage a child with hair loss to wear hats, scarves, or even wigs.
