Skip to nav Skip to content

 

Lymphoma symptoms can vary depending on the type of lymphoma a patient has developed. However, it should be noted that it is possible to experience one or more of the symptoms associated with lymphoma without having the condition, as these symptoms could be attributed to other medical issues. Also, some patients have been diagnosed with lymphoma without having shown any symptoms. It is important for any patient who is concerned about lymphoma to consult with a physician who can order a series of diagnostic tests to either confirm or rule out cancer as a cause.

Common lymphoma symptoms

There are two primary types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. Lymphoma affects the lymphocytes, and the classification as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma will depend on the type of lymphocyte being impacted. With Hodgkin lymphoma, Reed-Sternberg cells will be present; with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, these cells will not be present. While symptoms may vary between these two types of lymphoma, there are some symptoms common to both types.

Lymph node swelling (often painless)

Someone with lymphoma may experience swelling in his or her lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpits, stomach or groin. This is the most common symptom of lymphoma (although there are various other conditions that can cause lymph node swelling, including ones as mild as the common cold). Lymphoma causes lymph node swelling when cancerous cells begin building up within the lymph nodes.

A swollen lymph node often feels like a smooth, round, rubbery lump, and oftentimes it will move out of the way if someone presses on it. Swollen lymph nodes are easier to see and feel when they occur in the neck, armpits or groin (rather than in the chest or stomach) because they’re closer to the skin’s surface. In most cases, lymph node swelling doesn’t cause any pain, although it may result in discomfort or an aching sensation if the swollen lymph nodes are pressing on a nerve or a nearby tissue.

Spleen enlargement

Along with lymph node swelling, lymphoma can cause someone’s spleen to become enlarged (splenomegaly). This fist-sized organ is part of the lymphatic system, and is located on the left side of the body, underneath the diaphragm and behind the ribcage and stomach. Lymphoma may lead to spleen enlargement if cancer cells build up within the spleen or if the malignancy forces the spleen to work harder than it normally would. Although spleen enlargement doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms, it can sometimes lead to pain or a feeling of being full in the upper left side of the stomach cavity. In some instances, a splenectomy may be required to remove the spleen.

Fever of unknown cause & severe night sweats

Someone who has lymphoma may experience a low-grade fever that’s often accompanied by chills. This occurs because the lymphoma cells produce certain chemicals that can increase a person’s body temperature. As a result, it’s common for individuals with lymphoma to experience severe night sweats that leave their pajamas, sheets and blankets soaking wet. Night sweats may also occur as a response to certain chemicals produced by the lymphoma cells in the body. Despite the name, this heavy sweating can also occur during the day.

Exhaustion

Lymphoma can cause someone to feel exhausted—whether physically, mentally or emotionally—for no apparent reason. In many cases, this fatigue will be so severe that it prevents the person from taking part in normal routines. Unlike with normal tiredness, sleeping and resting won’t cause the person to feel any better. Researchers are still trying to determine exactly why lymphoma causes fatigue, but some potential explanations include changes in hormone levels, difficulty sleeping and reduced consumption of food due to a lack of appetite.

Unintentional weight loss

Someone with lymphoma may notice that his or her weight is dropping fairly quickly, despite not being on a diet and not exercising any more than usual. This often occurs because the lymphoma cells are depleting the person’s energy reserves, and because the person’s body is using up extra energy trying to fight off the cancer.

Unexplained rash or itchy skin

Lymphoma can cause a person to feel exceedingly itchy. This itchiness tends to be worse at night, when the person is lying in bed, and in some cases it can lead to an unpleasant burning sensation. In some instances, the itchiness may be accompanied by a rash, while at other times there will be no rash present at all. Researchers believe that the itching is caused by the immune system’s reaction to the lymphoma cells—as the person’s immune system tries to fight off the lymphoma, it produces certain chemicals that can irritate the person’s nerves and cause them to itch.

Localized issues

In addition to systemic symptoms (ones that affect the entire body), someone with lymphoma may experience localized symptoms (ones that are limited to the area where the lymphoma is located). In many instances, localized symptoms occur because the swollen lymph nodes caused by lymphoma end up pressing against nearby tissues. For example, if lymphoma is causing the lymph nodes in a person’s chest to swell, he or she may experience chest pain and difficulty breathing. Or, if lymphoma is present in a person’s abdomen, he or she might experience a feeling of being full.

Chest, abdomen or bone pain

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, specifically, may cause someone to experience pain in the chest, abdomen or bones for no known reason.

Symptoms of lymphoma in women

In some instances, lymphoma will develop within the female reproductive system. As mentioned above, lymphoma symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to other medical issues, and this is especially true with lymphomas affecting the female reproductive organs. With that in mind, it’s important to pay attention to the following symptoms, which could indicate the presence of female genital lymphoma:

  • Abnormal bleeding within the uterus
  • Pelvic mass
  • Pain or pressure within the stomach cavity or the pelvis
  • Pain during sexual intercourse

Conditions producing similar symptoms

Unfortunately, because so many of the symptoms caused by lymphoma can also result from unrelated conditions, it’s easy to misdiagnose the root problem. Again, that’s why it’s so important to consult with a clinician who can provide an accurate diagnosis. Some of the conditions that lymphoma is most commonly misdiagnosed as include:

  • Cat scratch fever – This type of bacterial infection can develop when an infected cat bites or scratches a person, or when one of these felines licks a person’s open wound or scab. Once the infection spreads from the cat to the person, the individual’s nearby lymph nodes can swell up and become painful or tender to the touch. Also similar to lymphoma, cat scratch fever can cause a fever, exhaustion and reduced appetite.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – This virus, which can eventually progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), can be transmitted through direct contact with certain bodily fluids from an infected person with a detectable viral load. HIV can produce many of the same symptoms as lymphoma, including swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, night sweats, rash and fatigue.
  • Influenza (the flu) – Lymphoma can even be mistaken for something as common as the flu. Influenza viruses commonly spread through airborne droplets expelled when an infected individual sneezes, coughs or even talks. Transmission can also occur through contact with a contaminated surface. Some of the symptoms that the flu shares with lymphoma include fever, chills and fatigue. Influenza can also cause swelling within the lymph nodes, so it’s important to note whether the glands remain enlarged even after the virus subsides.
  • Mononucleosis – There are a number of viruses and infections that can lead to the development of mononucleosis, the most common being the Epstein-Barr virus. Like lymphoma, mononucleosis can cause lymph node swelling—particularly in the neck, armpits and groin—as well as fever, a rash, loss of appetite, an enlarged spleen and extreme fatigue.

Lymphoma symptoms can vary depending on the type of lymphoma a patient has developed. However, it should be noted that it is possible to experience one or more of the symptoms associated with lymphoma without having the condition, as these symptoms could be attributed to other medical issues. Also, some patients have been diagnosed with lymphoma without having shown any symptoms. It is important for any patient who is concerned about lymphoma to consult with a physician who can order a series of diagnostic tests to either confirm or rule out cancer as a cause.

Our lymphoma treatment options

Moffitt Cancer Center’s Malignant Hematology Program helps people who believe they may have lymphoma make sense of their symptoms. Our board-certified physicians are highly specialized, and can diagnose, treat and help manage symptoms of all forms of lymphoma. In recognition of our scientific excellence, Moffitt has been designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute—the only cancer center based in Florida to receive this distinction. Comprehensive Cancer Centers are known as major developers of new and more effective approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This national prestige allows us to attract top physicians and scientists from around the world—individuals who ultimately shape the outstanding care we give to each and every patient.

For more information on lymphoma symptoms, or to consult with a member of our lymphoma team, call Moffitt Cancer Center at 1-888-663-3488 or fill out our new patient registration form. We’re providing each new patient with rapid access to a cancer expert.

Medically reviewed by Sameh Gaballa, MD, medical oncologist, Malignant Hematology Department.