Lymphoma in children can start in any of the cells in your child’s lymphatic system. There are two types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Both have similar symptoms, like swollen lymph nodes. And they both affect your child’s lymphocytes, but they have different causes. Effective treatment can cure most cases of childhood lymphoma.
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Lymphoma in children is a type of blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. Your child’s lymph system is a network of tissues, vessels and organs. This network contains infection-fighting white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are in your child’s lymph nodes, spleen and other parts of their lymphatic system. Childhood lymphoma can begin in any of these cells.
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Lymphomas are the third most common type of childhood cancer (after leukemia and brain tumors). They make up 10% to 15% of all childhood cancers.
Hearing your child has cancer is scary. But there’s hope. Healthcare providers have effective treatments that can often cure the disease.
The most common type of pediatric lymphoma is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But in teenagers 15 to 19, Hodgkin lymphoma is more common.
Hodgkin lymphoma develops slowly. So, you may not notice symptoms for months. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can grow more quickly. Symptoms may develop over the course of a few days to a few weeks.
The most common lymphoma symptom in kids is swollen lymph nodes. These rubbery lumps are firm but not usually painful. You can feel them most often in your child’s neck, chest and armpits. They may also be in their belly or groin.
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Other frequent signs of lymphoma in kids are what providers call “B symptoms.” B symptoms include:
Depending on the type of lymphoma, your child may also have:
Lymphoma symptoms in children may look like many less serious illnesses. So, contact your child’s healthcare provider if you’re concerned.
Lymphoma in children happens when lymphocytes change (mutate) into cancer cells. The cells rapidly grow and multiply, eventually becoming tumors. Most of the genetic mutations that cause childhood lymphoma happen randomly. They’re acquired, which means your child wasn’t born with them. Scientists aren’t sure why this occurs.
Several factors may increase your child’s risk of developing lymphoma. But it’s important to remember that risk factors don’t mean your child will definitely have the condition. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about any concerns if your child has:
If your child has symptoms that could point to lymphoma, their provider may recommend tests to find the cause.
Your child’s pediatrician will ask about your child’s symptoms and perform a physical exam. They’ll look for any signs of disease, like lumps, swollen lymph nodes or anything that seems unusual. They’ll also ask about your family’s medical history. At this point, your child’s provider may refer them to a specialist. You’ll have future appointments with an oncologist or a hematologist.
To make a diagnosis, your child’s healthcare provider will need to perform a lymph node biopsy. In this procedure, your child’s provider removes all or part of a swollen lymph node. They send the lymph node to a lab. Then, a pathologist checks it for signs of cancer.
Other lab tests your child may need include:
Imaging tests they may need include:
After your child’s provider makes a diagnosis, they’ll request more tests. These are to find out more about the cancer. This is called cancer staging.
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Your child may need a blood chemistry analysis. This test measures the amounts of certain substances that your child’s organs and tissues release into their blood. Unusually high or low amounts of a substance may be a sign of disease.
Other tests may include:
Treatment for lymphoma in kids depends on the type and stage of your child’s condition. Your child’s oncologist will tell you what treatments may be most effective for your child.
In some cases, a surgical oncologist can remove tumors during a biopsy. But most children still need other cancer treatments, like chemotherapy.
Other childhood lymphoma treatments may include:
Your child’s outlook (prognosis) depends on the type and stage of lymphoma they have. The overall five-year survival rate for all types of lymphoma in children is higher than 85%.
Cancer is hard on everyone. But it’s especially hard on children. Young children may not be old enough to understand why they don’t feel well. They may be scared about tests and treatments. Teens who understand their illness may be angry about their situation. They may be understandably afraid.
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If you or your child is struggling with cancer’s impact, ask your child’s provider about cancer services at your hospital:
Hodgkin lymphoma in children and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in children are both cancers that affect your child’s lymphocytes. But there are several differences that set them apart from each other.
| Differences | Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children |
|---|---|---|
| Types | Four subtypes | More than 70 subtypes |
| Age at diagnosis | Most common cancer in teens 15 to 19 | More common in younger children |
| Origin | Typically starts in lymph nodes in your child’s neck or chest | Can start in lymph nodes throughout your child’s body |
| Cancer cells | Reed-Sternberg cells are present | Reed-Sternberg cells aren’t present |
| Five-year survival rate | About 90% | About 80% |
| Differences | ||
| Types | ||
| Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| Four subtypes | ||
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| More than 70 subtypes | ||
| Age at diagnosis | ||
| Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| Most common cancer in teens 15 to 19 | ||
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| More common in younger children | ||
| Origin | ||
| Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| Typically starts in lymph nodes in your child’s neck or chest | ||
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| Can start in lymph nodes throughout your child’s body | ||
| Cancer cells | ||
| Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| Reed-Sternberg cells are present | ||
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| Reed-Sternberg cells aren’t present | ||
| Five-year survival rate | ||
| Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| About 90% | ||
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children | ||
| About 80% |
One moment, you have a healthy child who has what you think is an everyday illness. The next, you have a child with cancer. It isn’t easy to learn that your child has lymphoma. But healthcare providers can often cure children who have this condition. And your child still faces intensive medical treatment that will disrupt their daily life.
You may feel like your world has turned upside down. You may wonder if it’ll ever be right side up again. Your child’s provider understands what you and your child is going through. Ask them for help, whether it’s information about your child’s situation or resources for you and your family. They want to do everything they can.
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There are many types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Whether you have an aggressive type or one that’s slow growing, Cleveland Clinic is here with personalized treatment.
Last reviewed on 11/10/2025.
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