Lymphoma in toddlers

[mkinca01]

We have discovered mulitple enlarged lymph nodes on my 2 year old son, with some the size of a pea. He is having alot of episodes of severe sweating from his neck up, where we need to change his shirt or the sheet in his bed is saturated. He does complain of belly pain, where I need to rub his belly. He also complains of leg pain at times where I need to rub his leg or give him Tylenol. My husband was diagnosed with CLL in 2005 and has had 7 rounds of chemo. At one time blood work did not show that his small remission period was over, but his CT scan did show lymph nodes to be enlarged. Should I be concerned? CLL is a older adult disease, but there again my husband was diagnosed at the age of 47.

[Dnmh]

It's my understanding that children tend to have swollen lymph nodes a lot more than adults and in most cases, it's due to infection, virus or bacteria. Pea sized is considered normal. It's also my understanding that the night sweats associated with lymphoma cover the whole body. If you're really concerned, I would suggest a visit to the pediatrician.

[mkinca01]

Yes I do agree with you that lymph nodes can be enlarged from an infection. You can find lymph nodes all over your body and that is what actually helps our bodies fight these things off. I have only seen where one here or there would be enlarged due to infection, but not so many as he has. Also, I have never heard about the sweating covering the entire body. My husband with chronic lymphocytic leukemia has only had sweating from the neck and head area.
To any physicians out there, what blood work would be done to check this? Also, can lymph nodes scar over?

[Dnmh]

Answering with what I know since the doctors here do their best to answer, but it can take several days. My mother has CLL, she sweats her entire body, soaking the sheets. CBC with differential would be the first place to start if looking for leukemias, WBC would be elevated, lymphomas usually can only be detected via lymph node biopsies - preferably a core biopsy, versus an FNA. Cryoglobulin (blood test) is one of the tests that could indicate cancers as well.

Hope this is helpful! Best of luck, and please keep us posted.

[mkinca01]

My husband has had labs done several times in the last 3 and 1/2 years and his WBC level has never been out of range, even during chemo. He himself had been following with an ENT who kept him coming back every 6 months, and had finally done an FNA on the biggest lymph node in his neck, and it had come back non-diagnostic. The sample that is done with an FNA is a very small sampling of it. Finally I had demanded a CT of his neck and there were multiple enlarged nodes than found in his neck. They than had done a CT of his chest and abdomen and found even more. He than had a biopsy done from one of the nodes in his arm pit, one we had never felt that was the size of a tangerine. His port was placed when his biopsy was done. If I would have never pushed for a CT he may not be here today.
Thank you the info about the other blood test. I will google this for info.

[Dnmh]

I'm so sorry the trial you went through with your husband, and pray it's not the same for your son! I'll do a little more research too. I just ran the gamut on labs and neuro tests - that's how I know about the cryoglobulin test!
I hope everything turns out for the best for you and your family!

[mkinca01]

Thank you for all your info and concern, it is much appreciated. My son has been in and out of the emergency room both Saturday and Monday for high fevers, cough, and low oxygen levels. The doctors believe it is only a virus, with his recurrent sleep apnea. Again no one wants to acknowledge the lymph node situation. All I want is reassurance of a CT. They say his CBC is fine. I am extremely nervous.
Again thank you, and I will look up the cryoglobulin test.

[frankiex22x]

Hi

Any more news on yous son?  My son (aged 2) has 3 enlarged nodes in his neck, one over 2inch long and pretruding, and one in his groin.  He has seen the pedritician and they have said that 2 in his neck and 1 in his groin are all within the normal limits (although the one is larger than a grape?) the one that is longer than two inches she said was larger than normal but felt ok to her.  They did a blood count (normal) and test for glandular fever and told me to not worry.

This was last week, and I can't stop worrying - especially when I am sure that the large 1 is still growing and I know that the blood test can't rule out lymphoma.  I pray that I am worrying for nothing but until they're gone I won't be able to stop.

Do you think I should ask for further test or just accept the doctors opinion and do my best to forget about it?

[Neurotic11]

My son is 3 years old and on Wednesday his preschool teacher noticed his glands on his neck are severely swollen (larger than the size of large plums or a small peach) on either side of his neck, one is much bigger than the other.   He has been waking up for about a week with terrible night sweats, they have put so much presser on his airway it has changed his voice even, the doctor sent away for blood work and I have to wait for tests to get back, he has elevated white blood cell count and has complained over 2 weeks of stomach pains.  He has a constant fever unless I keep Tylenol in his system, it has almost been a week with no change I am really concerned. He has no other symptoms no, cough, no sore throat, his energy and play levels are normal. Any ideas?

[frankiex22x]

How is your son now?  What have the doctors said could be causing it?  Are they doing any further test?  

My son still has his which has since grown so I am taking him back to docs today - will let you know what happens.

All the best to you and your lo xx

[Sandylin]

Hi,  My son is 3 and has recently complained of belly pains.  He developed a high fever and severe abdominal cramping to were he would scream in pain. we took him to the doctor were they did every test and x-ray and only found a very high white blood cell count, all of the other test came out normal.  They then sent us to the ER  were they did an ultrasound and found that his lymph nodes in his belly were enlarged and that they didn't know what was causing it, that we needed to go home and see what happens.  Well, the next day my son was his normal self, no fever, no stomache pains.  That night he woke up with a high fever again.   I don't know what I should do.  The doctors seem to not be to concerned, maybe it's because they don't have a clue as to what's causing this.  Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be causing this

[heidi72]

I would get blood testing- definitely a sed rate ordered. Demand further testing. I am annoyed the pediatricians blow off my concerns for so long.