Lymphoma (including both non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL] and Hodgkin disease) is the third most common cancer in children, accounting for about 8% of childhood cancers.
In children up to age 14, about two-thirds of lymphomas are non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with about 500 of these cancers being diagnosed in the United States each year. Including all children and teens up to age 19, the numbers of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas are about equal, and there are about 800 cases of NHL diagnosed each year.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is about 2 to 3 times more common in boys than in girls, and it is more common in white children than black children. The reasons for these gender and racial differences are not known.
Overall, the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children increases with age. It can occur at any age but is uncommon in children younger than 3.
Survival rates for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Advances in treatment have increased the overall survival rates for children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma dramatically in recent decades. The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after being diagnosed with cancer. Survival rates give doctors a standard way to discuss and compare the prognosis (outlook for recovery) for people with cancer.
With regard to non-Hodgkin lymphomas in children, those who are still free of disease after 5 years are likely to have been cured, as it rare for these cancers to return after this much time.
Current 5-year survival rates are based on children initially diagnosed and treated more than 5 years ago. Improvements in treatment since then may mean that the outlook is better for recently diagnosed patients.
The survival rates below are based on the results of several studies that may have used different treatment regimens or included slightly different groups of patients, which is why ranges of numbers are given.
- For children with small non-cleaved non-Hodgkin (Burkitt) lymphomas, lymphoblastic lymphomas, and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, most studies have found 5-year survival rates ranging from about 70% to more than 90%.
- For children with anaplastic large cell lymphomas, the results are not quite as good, with most studies having 5-year survival rates in the range of 55% to 75%. In general, children younger than 15 tend to do slightly better than older children.
Survival statistics can sometimes be useful as a general guide, but they may not accurately represent any one child's prognosis. A number of factors, including the type of lymphoma, the location and size of the tumor(s), and how well the lymphoma responds to treatment, also affect the outlook. Your child's doctor can tell you if these numbers apply, as he or she is familiar with the details of your child's situation.
More survival statistics can be found in the section, "How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated in children?"
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