Our Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program treats children with all forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and related disorders, including relapsed or hard-to-treat Hodgkin lymphoma. Staffed with some of the world's most experienced pediatric oncologists and pediatric subspecialists, we provide direct access to the newest clinical trials and advanced therapies.
About the Program
Our Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program treats children with all forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma [non-Hodgkin lymphoma condition page] and related disorders. If your child has relapsed or has hard-to-treat Hodgkin lymphoma, we provide direct access to the newest clinical trials and advanced therapies.
Through Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, your child will receive treatment from some of the world's most experienced pediatric oncologists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as internationally recognized pediatric subspecialists at Boston Children's Hospital.
The Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program is a special part of our Pediatric Oncology Program.
All members of our team, which includes pediatric oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, interventional and diagnostic radiologists and hematopathologists, have specific expertise in pediatric lymphomas.
We offer comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and consultation services for children and adolescents.
We provide access to multiple clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches, as well as advanced therapies like stem cell transplantation.
Our center offers a long-term care program specially designed for survivors of childhood cancer.
Our Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program treats children with the following conditions:
Our Treatment Approach
The Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program is a part of our Pediatric Oncology Program. We combine the expertise of both Boston Children's Hospital, one of the top pediatric hospitals in the country, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a national leader in cancer care.
Members of our physician team all have expertise in pediatric lymphomas. Specific disciplines include:
- oncology
- radiation oncology
- surgery
- interventional and diagnostic radiology
- hematopathology
We evaluate, diagnose and treat children with all forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and related disorders. We also provide consultation services and long-term follow-up for pediatric and adolescent patients.
Diagnosis, treatment and care
If your child has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you probably have a lot of questions about treatment and care options. Our program offers the latest treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and our researchers work continuously to develop and refine therapies. We offer:
- advanced radiologic imaging including PET scans, MRI, CT and bone scans
- biopsy via minimally invasive surgery such as thoracoscopy or open surgery as appropriate to your child's condition
- pathologic diagnosis with access to specialized services, such as classical cytogenetics, FISH, molecular techniques such as PCR, and flow cytometry
- access to most current research studies via the Children's Oncology Group, a national research consortium and a national collaborative focused only on pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- individualized treatment plans tailored to your child's needs
- access to experimental therapies for recurrent or refractory lymphoma
- a Pediatric Advanced Care Team with expertise in palliative care and symptom management
Other services include:
- integrative medicine consultation and treatment as part of a comprehensive care plan
- a designated resource specialist to help families apply for assistance from cancer-related organizations and relevant federal and local programs
- short-term lodging at the Ronald McDonald House
- pediatric psychologists and social workers available for patients, siblings and parents
- medical ethics consultation
- an integrated relationship with other adult and pediatric subspecialty physicians and services such as cardiology, pulmonary, endocrinology, reproductive and gynecologic services, neurology, anesthesia, dermatology, nutrition, and physical therapy.
- infectious disease physicians who specialize in the care of cancer patients
- a specialized program to help patients transition back to school and support their learning.
Survivorship and long-term care
Like all patients who were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation, survivors of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma may be at risk of developing problems or side effects later in life.
To help patients monitor their overall health after they're finished with treatment, we encourage children and adolescents to continue long-term care through Dana-Farber's David B. Perini Jr. Quality of Life Clinic. At this clinic, experts assess childhood cancer survivors of all ages for hormonal evaluation and treatment and dental evaluation and treatment, among others.
The Treatment Team
The Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Program has a staff of compassionate and experienced pediatric specialists that includes oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, and stem cell transplant experts.
Our physicians are focused on family-centered care: From your first visit, you'll work with a team of professionals who are committed to supporting all of your family's physical and psychosocial needs.
- Amy L. Billett, MD
Billett is a pediatric oncologist who specializes in the treatment of lymphomas including Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Burkitt's lymphoma. She also oversees patient safety and quality research for the Division of Hematology Oncology. She is an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
- Kirsten Ecklund, MD
Ecklund is a pediatric radiologist who specializes in diagnostic radiology and pediatric musculoskeletal radiology. She holds the vice chair of Diagnostic Radiology and the Chief of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology and is an assistant professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School.
- Mark Daniel Fleming, MD, DPhilFleming is a hematopathologist and Boston Children's Hospital's pathologist-in-chief. He specializes in the diagnosis of cancers of the blood and lymph systems. His research focuses on iron metabolism in the blood. He is also an Associate Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School.
- Frederick D. Grant, MD
Grant is a radiologist specializing in nuclear medicine and molecule imaging. His research focuses on applications of nuclear medicine to pediatric oncology. He is also an instructor in radiology at Harvard Medical School.
- Karen J. Marcus, MD
Marcus specializes in pediatric oncology and radiation oncology. She treats children with a wide variety of cancers including brain tumors, sarcomas, neuroblastoma, leukemias, kidney tumors and Hodgkin lymphoma. She is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and co-chair of Pediatric Oncology Institutional Review Board.
- Robert C. Shamberger, MD
Shamberger is Boston Children's Hospital's Chief of Surgery and has expertise in surgical oncology. He is a professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on the treatment of neuroblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, Wilms' tumor and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Lewis B. Silverman, MD, Director of the Leukemia Program
Silverman is a pediatric oncologist who specializes in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). He is director of the Jimmy Fund Clinic and the Pediatric Hematological Malignancy Service. His primary research focus is improving ALL therapies while reducing toxicity. In addition to his clinical and research responsibilities, he is also an assistant professor in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.
- Christopher Weldon, MD, PhD
Weldon is a pediatric general surgeon with expertise in pediatric oncology and surgical critical care. His research focuses on chemotherapy resistance in solid tumors. He is also an instructor at Harvard Medical School.
Clinical Research
It's possible that your child will be eligible to participate in one of Dana-Farber/Boston Children's current clinical trials. These studies are useful for many reasons. Some trials are designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular drug, treatment or therapy on a specific disease; others help doctors to better understand how and why certain conditions occur.
Participation in any clinical trial is completely voluntary: We will take care to fully explain all elements of the treatment plan prior to the start of the trial, and you may remove your child from the medical study at any time.
Dana-Farber/Boston Children's is a part of the Children's Oncology Group, a national cancer research consortium. Children's Oncology Group studies include:
- therapeutic trials for newly diagnosed patients
- access to investigational drug therapy at the time of relapse
- biologic studies of lymphoma
- studies to improve the supportive care of patients undergoing treatment
Contact Us
Referring physicians: 617-632-5508 or 1-888-Pedi-Onc (733-4662)
New patients and second opinions
We understand a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is extremely difficult to cope with. We are available to offer a consultation or second opinion for your child.
If your child has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, please contact our program at 888-PEDI-ONC (888-733-4662).
To help us conduct a precise evaluation, it is important we receive a full summary of your child's initial diagnosis at hand. This includes any laboratory or pathology reports, any x-ray, radiographic or MRI images, as well as a list of any previous treatments your child may have received. We will work with you and any other treating physicians to obtain the necessary information prior to the visit, including:
Patient summary
- your child's date of birth
- your address
- parent or guardian contact information
- insurance information
Complete clinical summary
- physician's name and contact information
- diagnosis, or working diagnosis, and list of presenting symptoms
- MRI/CT scan films
- pathology slides and reports
- operative note, if surgery was performed
- radiation therapeutic summary, if your child had radiation
- comprehensive list of previous chemotherapeutic agents, with dates and doses, if your child had chemotherapy
Mailing addresses
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
450 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Boston Children's Hospital
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02215