Lymphoma (including both non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin disease) is the third most common cancer in children, accounting for about 10% of childhood cancers. About two-thirds of these are non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with about 500 of these cancers being diagnosed in the United States each year in children 14 or younger.

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. The number of children with non-Hodgkin lymphoma increases with age.

Survival rates for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Survival rates refer to the percentage of patients who live at least a certain amount of time after being diagnosed with cancer. They give doctors a standard way to discuss and compare the prognosis (outlook for recovery) for people with cancer. For example, the 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of children who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Of course, many children live much longer than 5 years.

There are some important things to know about 5-year survival rates. First, they are based on patients 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.

Second, 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 is likely to be a good source as to whether these numbers may apply, as he or she is familiar with the details of your child's situation.

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%.

More survival statistics can be found in the section, "How is non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children treated?"

Last Medical Review: 07/08/2009
Last Revised: 07/08/2009