How to rule out lymphoma in children

Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
Updated on February 01, 2025
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Lymphoma is a malignant tumor originating from the lymphatic system. The main clinical manifestation is painless lymph node enlargement, which can occur in superficial lymph nodes such as in the neck, armpits, or groin, as well as deeper lymph nodes in the mediastinum or abdominal cavity. In pediatric patients with lymphoma, a significant number also present with abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, or intussusception, which often indicates intestinal lymphoma. If children exhibit lymph node enlargement or deep lymph node enlargement is discovered through imaging studies, it is necessary to perform a puncture or biopsy and conduct a pathological examination to further confirm whether it is lymphoma.

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Early symptoms of lymphoma

The early symptoms of lymphoma involve the painless enlargement of both superficial and deep lymph nodes, most commonly located in areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Of course, lymphoma also presents with systemic symptoms, such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, and skin itching. Since lymphoma commonly occurs in the neck, armpits, and groin, if it develops in other areas, such as the lungs or elsewhere, it may cause respiratory symptoms, including coughing, expectoration, and shortness of breath.

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What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

The symptoms of lymphoma predominantly start with painless enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, most commonly in areas such as the neck, supraclavicular lymph nodes, armpits, or groin. Additionally, patients with nasal NKT lymphoma might experience nasal congestion, nosebleeds, and rhinorrhea. Lymphomas occurring in the stomach, for example, present symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and even rectal bleeding which are related to the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, symptoms can vary depending on the location of the lymphoma. Some patients may also experience enlargement of the liver and spleen. In advanced stages of lymphoma, bone marrow involvement is possible, along with common B symptoms including sweating, fever, or weight loss, which are also clinical manifestations seen in lymphoma patients.

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What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma refers to a type of malignant tumor that originates in the lymph nodes or extranodal tissues or organs. It is clinically categorized into two main types: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Furthermore, it can be subdivided into many different pathological types. Among these, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common type in China, and there are dozens of different pathological types. The pathological type of the lymphoma determines its malignancy level, prognosis, chemotherapy regimen options, and treatment methods, all of which can vary significantly.

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Lymphoma has what manifestations?

The symptoms of lymphoma, simply put, are that some people feel a lump on their neck or in their armpit; it starts as a sudden appearance of a swelling that gets larger over time, sometimes not just one, but multiple lumps clustered together. This is indeed the most common symptom, where one can feel something on their neck, including under the jaw or the chin, noticing suddenly a nodule has formed, whether it's the size of a chicken egg or otherwise. That's one aspect. The second involves systemic symptoms, which primarily include fever, night sweats, and weight loss. These three symptoms are quite common.

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Can people with lymphoma eat beef?

The diet for lymphoma patients isn't particularly special; it’s just like the diet of healthy individuals, with no need for specific dietary restrictions. Moreover, there aren't any prohibitions related to "hot-natured" foods as mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine. From a Western medicine perspective, the focus is simply on enhancing the patient's nutrition. This can be achieved by eating smaller, more frequent meals, and ensuring a balanced diet with a good mix of meat and vegetables. There are no special dietary taboos; all foods are permissible, provided one avoids junk food. Therefore, foods like beef and lamb are perfectly acceptable.