7 Common Signs & Symptoms of Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that attacks the lymphocytes, the infection-fighting cells in the immune system. Since there are many types of lymphomas, they’re broadly divided into Hodgkin-lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and they can occur in any part of the body. The disease is associated with symptoms that may vary in every patient, depending on the type and stage of cancer, and the affected organ. However, below are common signs and symptoms of lymphoma that you need to watch out for.
Swollen lymph nodes
A painless lump in the armpit, neck, and groin is a common sign of lymphoma. The lumps are smooth and round and have a rubbery texture. In rare cases, the lump causes pain in surrounding areas, due to its pressure on a nerve.
Sudden weight loss
What we mean by sudden weight loss is that the patient may lose substantial weight in a short span of time without putting any effort towards it. Lymphoma patients lose about 10% of their body weight within a span of 6 months. The unexplained weight loss occurs because the patient’s body uses most of its resources in fighting the cancer, and the cancerous cells further use up the body’s energy to attack the immune system.
Fatigue
The patient is easily found physically and mentally exhausted for no apparent reason. Even adequate rest and sleep don’t make them feel any better, and it fails to uplift the patient’s mood. Muscle weakness is another symptom linked with fatigue. However, fatigue is associated with many other vitamin deficiencies and illnesses like anemia.
Easily prone to infections
A lymphoma patient’s body produces cancerous white cells instead of healthy cells that fight infections and illnesses in the body. This makes the body more prone to infections and diseases that last longer than they would in normal people.
Night sweats
The lymphoma cells produce many chemicals that raise the body’s temperature. People with intense symptoms of lymphoma may experience night sweats that drench their clothes and linens while asleep. Also, fever is another sign linked with lymphoma.
Itching
The chemicals released by the lymphoma cells irritate the nerves, and that results in itchy skin. Itching with red patches is a common symptom among patients with skin lymphoma. However, only 1 of 3 patients affected with Hodgkin lymphoma may experience itching, and in the case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the probability of itchy skin is much lower, i.e. 1 in 10 patients. Itching may occur around the area that’s affected with lymphoma, lower legs, or even the whole body.
Breathing issues
This is another symptom of lymphoma. If there are swollen lymph nodes in the chest, they can cause many breathing discomforts like dry cough, shortness of breath, loud breathing, a sensation of pressure in the chest, and pain behind the breastbone.