Lymphoblastic lymphoma

Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, and functions to fight disease and infections. Most cases of lymphoblastic lymphoma involve the T-cells in the thymus, and usually become evident with a mass in the chest and swollen lymph nodes.

• It tends to spread quickly to the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and sometime, to the surface of the brain and the membranes that surround the lungs and heart.
• It’s thought to be caused by genetics and/or exposure to viral infections, radiation, or chemotherapy.
• It accounts for about 35 percent of lymphomas in children.
• It’s more common in Caucasian boys.
• Treatments may involve a combination of therapies including surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.

How Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center approaches lymphoblastic lymphoma

Our multidisciplinary approach to care ensures thoughtful discussion of every treatment decision and individualized care plans for each patient. Our team integrates expertise from the following specialists:

• pediatric oncologists, pediatric hematopathologists (pathologists specializing in childhood blood diseases including leukemia and lymphoma), surgical oncologists, and radiation oncologists
• experts from every pediatric medical subspecialty, including diagnostic and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, and pediatric anesthesia, among others
• highly skilled and experienced pediatric oncology nurses
• child life specialists, psychologists, social workers and resource specialists who provide supportive care before, during and after treatment

Scientists at Children's and Dana-Farber are also conducting numerous research studies that will help clinicians better understand and treat lymphoblastic lymphoma.