Non Hodgkin's T Cell Lymphoma in Children - Lymphomas Message Board

britt0285 · 09-01-2008, 05:13 PM

My little brother was diagnosed with this when he was 8 and he had treatments for roughly 2 years. Has anyone with a similar condition at a similar age noticed a change in growth patterns? My brother will be 17 at the end of the month and he is still somewhat small for his age. He is about 64 inches tall and is concerned that he is not growing very quickly. He is considering talk to his doctor about hGH therapy. I don't even know if that is something they will do. I just hate to see him struggle with this and I do not want him to feel badly.

mabent · 09-02-2008, 05:08 PM

Hi - Is your brother still in remission? I've known some friends who have had Hodgins and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma but have never heard that it stunts growth. I realize that this height bothers him, but, to be realistic, he has so-far conquered a very complex disease!
There are many, many so-called 'short' men and women out there, and it's definitely not anything to be worried about! I hope you can convince him to just be happy that he is healthy and has a nice personality - that's what really counts, don't you think?

Mabent

pinkmada · 09-03-2008, 04:02 AM

hey,
has he ever been tested for hypothyroidism? chemotherapy (esp in children) can increase thyroid dysfunction. if his growth is affected and they think it is due to the chemo they would likely examine him to ensure he doesnt have any of other problems such as, obesity, reduced muscle mass, loss bone density, problems during puberty and having a low sperm count. I doubt they would start giving him hormone therapy until they have ruled out any other conditions.
take care
amanda
x

britt0285 · 09-03-2008, 09:46 AM

Yes my brother is in remission. It is just hard because he was telling me that his friends give him a hard time about being short and he is bothered by it.

Also he has tried talking to the NP who is handling his ACE stuff and she was very dismissive. I do not think that he has been tested for hypothyrodism. I will suggest it to my mom. I think she is going to make an appt with his GP for him to discuss it.

He is not obese at all. He was a little chubby from all of the steroids he recieved while on treatment and he has lost all of that weight is very fit.

His oncologist and NP recently discussed with my mom that some of the children who had recieved doxorubicin/adriamycin are suffering from congestive heart failure at early ages. He found this out a couple of months ago.

At his last ACE appt they said that his heart looked good but that it isn't appearing until the people are in their late 20s. So he just has a lot of stress that kids his age usually don't have to deal with.

pinkmada · 09-05-2008, 12:14 PM

Hey Britt,
sorry im in the uk, is an NP and practice nurse? and when you say ACE are you talking about ACE inhibitors?
yes doxorubicin has been associated with heart conditions, i guess there is an increase depending how young you are when you recieved the treatment. however, they are monitoring hi and there are no problems so if ever they do find something abnormal they will have caught it early and hopefully it will never be a major problem.
i wonder if maybe making an appointment with his oncologist to discuss hormonal problems would be better than a gp? they would hopefully refer him to an endocrinologist who deals with issues such as this. again, though i am in the uk and i only know from personal experience that gps are reluctant to refer you to another department.
anyways, good luck. speak soon
amanda
x