Large Cell Lymphoma

Large cell lymphoma is a type ofnon-Hodgkin lymphoma. It's a cancer in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system, which works to fight disease and infections. Large cell lymphoma may develop in the lymph system tissue in the neck, chest, throat or abdomen. Two of the more common types of large cell lymphoma include diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)is more common in adults than in children, but it behaves and is treated very differently in children than in adults. It is generally very curable in children and adolescents. In children, this lymphoma is usually treated likeBurkitt lymphoma.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma(ALCL) can emerge in lymph tissue in the neck, chest, abdomen, lungs, skin, or bone. About 10% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in children are anaplastic large cell lymphoma. When anaplastic large cell lymphoma is widespread, it can cause fevers, weight loss, and generalized symptoms of illness.

How we care for large cell lymphoma

Children with large cell lymphoma are treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's through theLymphoma Programin ourHematologic Malignancy Center. One of the top pediatric cancer centers worldwide, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s combines the expertise of a premier cancer center – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – and a world-class children’s hospital – Boston Children’s Hospital – to provide internationally-renowned care for children with cancer.

Find in-depth information on the Dana-Farber website:

• anaplastic large cell lymphoma
• diffuse large B-cell lymphoma