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Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

Learn How We Transform Discovery to Care
Scientific discoveries lead us to new and better ways to care for children.

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Arkansas Children's Hospital
General Information 501-364-1100
Arkansas Children's Northwest
General Information 479-725-6800

Hodgkin Lymphoma
What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that grows in the white blood cells of the lymph system, called lymphocytes. The lymph system is a part of the immune system, which normally helps fight infection and disease in the body. The other main type of lymphoma is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma can grow in lymph tissue anywhere in the body, including the lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, tonsils and thymus.
While people of all ages can get Hodgkin lymphoma, it most common in teens ages 15 to 19. There are two main types of Hodgkin lymphoma that are found in children:
- Classic Hodgkin lymphoma: This is the most common type of the condition. It is associated with the presence of large, abnormal cells, called Reed-Sternberg cells.
- Nodular lymphocyte predominant: This is the less common type of Hodgkin lymphoma. It is most often found in children under age 10. The cells in this type of lymphoma are called “popcorn” cells because of their shape.
What are the signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma?
The symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma can vary from child to child. Some common symptoms in children may include:
- Swollen lymph nodes in the underarm, collarbone, neck, groin or chest
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling very tired
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Itchy skin
What causes Hodgkin lymphoma?
Experts do not know exactly what causes Hodgkin lymphoma in children, but there are some factors that may increase a child’s risk. These include:
- Having a weakened immune system
- HIV infection
- Having had the Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis)
- Having a sibling or parent who has had Hodgkin lymphoma
How is Hodgkin lymphoma treated?
Treatment options for Hodgkin lymphoma may depend on your child’s age, the type of lymphoma they have and whether it has spread in the body. Your care team at Arkansas Children’s is experienced in treating Hodgkin lymphoma, and we’ll work with you to create the best treatment plan for your child’s specific type of Hodgkin lymphoma and symptoms.
- Chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells. The chemotherapy may be taken by mouth or injected into the bloodstream. It can be used alone or with other treatments.
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells or stop the cancer from growing. The radiation is directed at the specific part of the body where the cancer is growing.
- Targeted drug therapy attacks specific cancer cells directly. Targeted therapies usually cause less damage to other cells in the body than chemotherapy or radiation. One type of targeted therapy is monoclonal antibody therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are man-made antibodies that target specific cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy is a newer type of treatment that uses your child’s immune system to help fight the cancer. PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitor therapy and CAR T-cell therapy are examples of immunotherapy.
- Surgery can remove cancer cells in some types of Hodgkin lymphoma that have not spread.
- Bone marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant) uses high doses of chemotherapy to damage the bone marrow. Then healthy stem cells from your child’s own bone marrow, or from a donor, are placed back into the blood.
- Clinical trials test new types of cancer treatments. Ask your Arkansas Children’s care team if your child is eligible for any clinical trials to treat Hodgkin lymphoma.
Appointments
New and existing patients can visit our appointment hub for several ways to request an appointment, including online scheduling for many services.
Request an appointmentRelated Services
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Hospital Services
Hematology Inpatient Unit
The hematology inpatient unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, specializes in pediatric cancers and blood disorders.
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Hospital Services
Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders (Arkansas Center for Bleeding Disorders)
The Arkansas Center for Bleeding Disorders at Arkansas Children’s provides specialty care for children with hemophilia and bleeding disorders.
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Hospital Services
Infusion Department
The infusion department at Arkansas Children’s Northwest offers a wide range of treatments, including treatment for cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatology concerns, genetic conditions, and more.
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Hospital Services
Neuro-Oncology
Arkansas Children’s has the only team of pediatric neuro-oncology specialists in the state dedicated to helping children with brain and spinal cord tumors.
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Hospital Services
Cancer and Blood Disorders Program
Our Cancer and Blood Disorders program provides specialty care for children with blood and bleeding disorders, tumors and many types of cancer.
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Hospital Services
Innovative Therapeutics Program
The Innovative Therapeutics Program is ready and prepared to offer new techniques and clinical trials to treat the most complex cases.
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Hospital Services
Bone and Soft-tissue Tumor Program (Orthopedic Oncology)
The Bone and Soft-tissue Tumor Program at Arkansas Children's Hospital provides specialty care for children with bone, muscle, or connective tissue cancer.
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Hospital Services
Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Clinic
With a focus on the expert care of pediatric patients with brain tumors, spinal tumors or neurofibromatosis (NF), our young patients have access to neuro-oncology specialists for every aspect of care based on their individual needs.
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Hospital Services
Sickle Cell Disease Program
Learn more about how pediatric sickle cell patients are diagnosed, evaluated and treated at Arkansas Children's.