Radiation therapy for childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. It is not commonly used to treat childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The healthcare team will consider your child’s personal needs to plan the type and amount of radiation, and when and how it is given.

Radiation therapy may be used to treat certain children with lymphoblastic lymphoma that has spread to the brain and spinal cord (called the central nervous system, or CNS). Cranial radiation (radiation therapy to the head) may be used.

Radiation therapy may also be used to treat the following life-threatening conditions if chemotherapy doesn’t help:

• superior vena cava syndrome
• a blockage in the upper airway
• a blocked (obstructed) organ
• spinal cord compression

During external beam radiation therapy, a machine directs radiation through the skin to the tumour and some of the tissue around it. Childhood NHL may be treated with external beam radiation therapy in some cases. It is usually given 5 days a week for a few weeks.

External beam radiation therapy may also be given to the entire body in preparation for a stem cell transplant. This is called total body irradiation (TBI).

Side effects can happen with any type of treatment for childhood NHL, but every child’s experience is different. Some children have many side effects. Other children have only a few side effects.

During radiation therapy, the healthcare team protects healthy cells in the treatment area as much as possible. But damage to healthy cells can happen and may cause side effects. Side effects can happen any time during, immediately after or a few days or weeks after radiation therapy. Sometimes late side effects develop months or years after radiation therapy. Most side effects go away on their own or can be treated, but some side effects may last a long time or become permanent.

Side effects of radiation therapy will depend mainly on the size of the area being treated, the specific area or organs being treated, the total dose of radiation, the treatment schedule and the child’s age. Some common side effects of radiation therapy used for childhood NHL are:

• skin problems
• fatigue
• sore mouth and throat
• taste changes
• difficulty swallowing
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• changes in the amount and consistency of saliva

Other side effects can develop months or years after treatment for childhood NHL. Find out more about late effects for childhood NHL.

Tell your child’s healthcare team if your child has these side effects or others you think might be from radiation therapy. The sooner you tell them of any problems, the sooner they can suggest ways to help your child deal with them.

Find out more about radiation therapy and side effects of radiation therapy. To make the decisions that are right for your child, ask the healthcare team questions about radiation therapy.