Create your Personal Health Record and unlock support built around you
- Treatments and trials you qualify for
- Education for your stage of care
- Financial support for your medications
- Solutions to your side effects
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, the body's disease-fighting network. The most common signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can vary greatly from person to person. However, there are some common symptoms that many people experience. It's important to remember that these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Include:
- Swollen lymph nodes: This is often the first sign of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin may be swollen and typically are not painful.
- Abdominal pain or swelling: This can be caused by swollen lymph nodes in the abdomen or by the disease affecting the liver or spleen.
- Chest pain or shortness of breath: This can occur if the disease is affecting the thymus or lymph nodes in the chest, or if there is a large amount of lymphoma cells in the lungs.
- Fatigue: This can be caused by the body's increased need to fight the disease, or by anemia due to the disease affecting the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells.
- Weight loss: This can be caused by a high metabolic rate as the body tries to fight the disease, or by a loss of appetite.
- Night sweats: These can be caused by the body's immune response to the disease.
- Fever: This can be caused by the body's immune response to the disease, or by the disease itself.
- Itchy skin: This can be caused by substances released by the lymphoma cells.
Seek Care For Your Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
If you have any of these symptoms and they persist for more than a few weeks, or if they are causing you significant discomfort or distress, you should seek medical attention. It's important to remember that these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, so it's important to get a proper diagnosis. If Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is diagnosed, treatment options can include: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant, or a combination of these. The choice of treatment depends on the type and stage of the lymphoma, the patient's overall health, and the patient's personal preferences.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and want to know what has worked for other blood cancer patients, visit HealthTree's Side Effect Solutions tool. Here you can search for the symptoms you are experiencing and read about what's worked (and what hasn't worked) for patients just like you.