Malignant diseases are increasingly diagnosed at an early age, so parents need to always pay attention to the child's health. Lymphogranulomatosis can be identified at primary stages of development, especially in children. The earlier the treatment of pathology begins, the higher the chances of recovery.
Lymphogranulomatosis - causes
It is not yet known why the disease in question affects the body, and what factors contribute to this. There are theories that Hodgkin's disease (lymphogranulomatosis) debuts against the background of the following states:
- infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus ;
- congenital immunodeficiency syndromes;
- genetics.
Stages of lymphogranulomatosis
The described malignant disease progresses in stages. In accordance with the severity of clinical signs and the extent of the pathology of Hodgkin's lymphoma in children occurs in 4 stages:
- Affected by a single organ (spleen, thymus) or lymph node, mostly cervical or submandibular. Symptoms are absent or not very noticeable.
- Mutated cells begin to migrate, which changes the structure of neighboring internal organs and groups of lymph nodes located on one side.
- In the pathological process, the structures remote from the primary source are involved. Affects lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm. The glandular organs increase in size.
- Changes take on a diffuse distribution. Pathology worsens the activity of the liver, bone marrow, lungs and other organs.
Lymphogranulomatosis - symptoms in children
Hodgkin's disease is extremely rarely diagnosed before the age of 5 years, and in infants younger than 1 year, never occurs. To identify lymphogranulomatosis in children at an early stage is difficult, first signs are absent or nonspecific:
- painless enlargement of the lymph nodes ;
- lethargy, apathy;
- drowsiness;
- elevated body temperature (about 37 degrees).
Gradually, the listed manifestations intensify and are constantly observed. So Hodgkin's lymphoma progresses - symptoms in children:
- intense sweating, mainly at night;
- headache ;
- itching;
- fever;
- lack of appetite;
- weight loss;
- cough;
- difficulty breathing;
- susceptibility to infectious diseases;
- disruption of the spleen;
- frequent palpitations;
- feeling of stiffness in muscles, joints;
- impairment of liver function and cardiovascular system.
Lymphogranulomatosis - diagnosis
Confirm suspicions of Hodgkin's disease can only histological analysis of the affected tissue (biopsy). Typical signs of lymphogranulomatosis are not a valid basis for diagnosis, because they can accompany other, non-oncological pathologies. Similar symptoms are typical for infectious diseases, immunodeficiencies and parasitic infestations.
Analyzes for lymphogranulomatosis
When clarifying the stage of Hodgkin's disease, additional diagnostic techniques are used. An obligatory laboratory test to confirm lymphogranulomatosis in children is a blood test (general and biochemical, activity of alkaline phosphatase in the serum). It helps to identify liver damage and anemia, to establish the presence and severity of inflammatory processes in the body.
Other types of studies that allow diagnosing lymphogranulomatosis in children:
- magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography;
- scanning with gallium-67;
- puncture (trepanobiopsy) of the bone marrow;
- X-ray;
- ultrasonography.
Lymphogranulomatosis - treatment
The main methods of fighting Hodgkin's disease in children are polychemotherapy, radiation and parallel use of symptomatic drugs. In extremely rare and severe cases, when these methods have not produced the expected effect, the disease of lymphogranulomatosis is subject to surgical treatment. The operation involves a bone marrow transplant from a maximally compatible donor.
Lymphogranulomatosis in children - clinical recommendations
In the process of chemotherapy, the child is simultaneously assigned several medications, the combination of which provides oppression of tumor cells. There are 4 modern effective schemes through which Hodgkin's lymphoma is treated in children - clinical recommendations include the following combinations:
- ABVD - adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine;
- ACOPP - adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, onkovin, procarbazine, prednisolone;
- BEACOPP - bleomycin, etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, onkovin, procarbazine, prednisolone;
- OEPA - onkovin, etoposide, prednisolone, adriamycin.
Lymphogranulomatosis in children is accompanied by pain syndrome and other unpleasant symptoms, therefore, symptomatic therapy is additionally prescribed:
- analgesics;
- muscle relaxants;
- anesthetics;
- hormones;
- antibiotics;
- antiviral agents;
- diuretics;
- solutions of electrolytes;
- antifungal drugs;
- antacids;
- correctors of acid balance;
- vitamins and others.
Lymphogranulomatosis - folk remedies
Alternative medicine does not have effective drugs that can cope with a malignant tumor, but natural supplements can be used as an auxiliary treatment or rehabilitation. Especially recommended are vitamin teas, if the remission of Hodgkin's lymphoma in children is achieved. They provide an accelerated recovery and support of immunity, normalization of the functioning of the digestive, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Recipe for medical infusion
Ingredients:
- branches of fir - 1 kg;
- roots of a raspberry - 0,5 kg;
- sugar - 1 kg;
- water - 0.5 liters.
Preparation and use:
- Wash and grind vegetable raw materials well.
- A clean 3-liter jar can be layer-by-layer filled with components - fir branches, sugar, crimson roots, sugar and then similarly.
- Pour all the boiling water.
- Leave the medication for 3 days, then drain the liquid.
- Take a solution of 1 tbsp. spoon before meals, 3 times a day.
- Therapy last 10-11 days.
Recipe for therapeutic syrup
Ingredients:
- mummy - 20 g;
- honey - 700 g;
- the juice of aloe - 500 ml.
Preparation and use:
- Mix all ingredients in a clean glass container.
- Put in the refrigerator for 7-9 days.
- After this time, carefully mix the contents of the can.
- Take 1 tsp three times a day.
- Continue therapy for 1.5 weeks.
Consequences of treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma in children
Chemical antitumor drugs and irradiation affect not only the pathological, but also the healthy cells. Children after Hodgkin's lymphoma suffer from such side effects of therapy:
- ulcers in the mouth;
- hair loss;
- nausea;
- bleeding of mucous membranes;
- vomiting;
- digestive disorders;
- lack of appetite;
- deterioration of the cardiovascular system;
- damage to the skin;
- loss of reproductive functions and others.
Lymphogranulomatosis - prognosis
The examined oncological disease is well amenable to therapy, most patients are completely cured. Lymphogranulomatosis in adolescents and children with stage 1-2 development ends with remission in 90-95% of cases. If the pathology was diagnosed later, at more severe stages, this indicator is reduced to 75-85%. Unfavorable predictions are for patients who experienced a relapse of lymphogranulomatosis within 12 months after the full course of therapy.