Cancer in lymphatic system is lymphoma. It causes swelling in lymph nodes and immune system becomes week. Lymphoma often starts in lymph nodes or in lymph tissues such as thymus and tonsils. Eventually it spreads to other organs.

Symptoms include:  Painless enlargement of lymph nodes, in armpit, groin and in neck. Weight loss,  Weakened immune system, night sweats, fever and chills, fatigue, bone and back pain, itchiness, headaches.

There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and non Hodgkin lymphoma. Difference between the two lymphomas are : presence of a specific type of abnormal cell called a Reed-Sternberg cell, if this is present then it is classified as Hodgkin’s. If the Reed-Sternberg cell is not present, the lymphoma is classified as non-Hodgkin’s.

Hodgkin lymphoma: About 3% of childhood cancers represents by Hodgkin lymphoma. It is common in adolescent children and rare in children younger than 5 years old. Symptoms are similar both in children and adults. Treatment depends on stage of cancer and which treatment works best.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma : It makes up about 5% of childhood cancers. It is more likely to occur in younger children than Hodgkin lymphoma, it is rare in children younger than 3.  In children this cancer often spreads quickly and require intense treatment, Children tend to respond better to the treatments than adults.

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