Lymphoma of bone

What is lymphoma of bone?

Lymphoma of bone is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, and works to fight disease and infections. Lymphoma of bone is considered to be a widespread disease, because usually multiple sites in the body are involved as primary sites. In some children however, the tumor may arise in the bone only.

What causes lymphoma of bone?

The specific cause of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is unclear. Some theories include:

• genetics
• exposure to viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• exposure to chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• hereditary abnormalities such as ataxia telangiectasia, X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, or the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Is lymphoma of bone common?

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a group is the third most common childhood cancer. More specifically it:

• occurs most often in children between the ages of 7 and 11, but can occur at any age from infancy to adulthood
• affects boys almost three times more often than girls
• is more common among Caucasian children than among African-American children and children of other races

What are the symptoms of lymphoma of bone?

The disease can progress quickly from a few days to a few weeks. While symptoms may vary child-to-child, the most common include:

• respiratory problems, pain with deep breaths (dyspnea), cough and/or wheezing
• abdominal pain
• constipation
• painless swelling of the lymph nodes in neck, chest, abdomen, underarm, or groin
• fever
• sore throat
• fullness in groin area from node involvement
• bone and joint pain
• night sweats
• tiring easily (fatigue)
• weight loss/decreased appetite
• itching of the skin
• recurring infections