"Stay Alert: 9 Warning Signs of Lymphoma"

Early-stage cancers, including lymphoma, may not cause noticeable symptoms. Even low-grade lymphoma can progress into a more aggressive cancer, leading to bothersome symptoms. However, lymphoma symptoms may vary from person to person, and some may be caused by unrelated ailments. It's essential to be aware of the following symptoms, and inform a healthcare provider if you experience any of them.

Lymphoma mainly affects lymphocytes or white blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow and lymph nodes, primarily in the neck, armpit, and groin. In people with lymphoma, the lymph nodes and spleen may enlarge due to the abundance of cancerous cells. It results in painless lymph node swelling, and sometimes an ache.

Fever is another sign indicating the activation of the body's immune system, due to an infection or cancerous cells, e.g., lymphoma. An unexplained fever requires medical attention. Night sweats, although their cause is unknown, are a common symptom of lymphoma that may indicate spiking fevers at night or problems in regulating the body's temperature. Feeling full or not feeling hungry, accompanied by nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, could be a sign of lymphoma affecting the lymph nodes in the abdomen, liver or spleen.

A vague symptom of lymphoma is feeling exhausted all the time, due to anemia or a lack of red blood cells carrying oxygen. Bleeding issues such as nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, or a rash of tiny blood spots under the skin may be an indication of lymphoma. People with lymphoma may also experience easy bruising or bleeding due to a lack of platelet production. Lastly, in some cases, lymphomas start in the thymus gland, located in the chest.

If the thymus gland or other lymph nodes in your chest swell up, they might press on the windpipe and lead to coughing, chest pain, or chest pressure. Swollen lymph nodes can also cause fluid to collect around your lungs.

Swollen lymph nodes in the chest are common with Hodgkin's lymphoma and some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, any lymphoma can cause them.

Swollen lymph nodes in the chest can cause symptoms such as:

Additionally, those symptoms can be worse when you lie down.

Dropping a significant amount—about 10% of your starting body weight or more over six months—without changing your usual eating and exercise pattern may be a red flag.

Weight loss sometimes happens because cancer cells grow far more quickly than normal cells and use up more energy than healthy cells. Additionally, your body uses energy to try to get rid of the cancerous cells.

Weight loss is more common with fast-growing lymphomas than with low-grade kinds. High-grade lymphomas can put a sudden demand on your body.

But keep in mind that lymphoma is just one of many possible causes of unexplained weight loss. Stress, depression, digestive problems, or an overactive thyroid gland are all causes of unexplained weight loss.

Dry skin and allergies often make people itchy, so the symptom is usually nothing alarming. 

But if you've recently started feeling unusually itchy—especially in your hands, legs, or feet—it might be related to lymphoma. Itchy skin can be severe and might also cause a burning sensation. Some people with lymphoma also develop a visible rash, but that's not always the case.

Experts think the relentless itchiness is due to the immune system releasing chemicals called cytokines that can irritate nerve endings in the skin.

Itching caused by lymphoma can affect:

You should contact a healthcare provider if you have itching that affects your whole body or lasts for more than two weeks.

If you notice any of the symptoms listed or experience any change in your body that isn't normal for you, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. 

Your symptoms might not be due to lymphoma. But if it is, the earlier it's picked up, the higher the chances are of successful treatment. 

It would help to bring a list of notes and questions to help you get the most out of your visit with a healthcare provider. Some tips for your visit include:

Lymphoma is a broad term for cancer that begins in lymphatic system cells. Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL are the two types of lymphoma.

Having one or more of the symptoms outlined does not necessarily mean that you have lymphoma. Remember that there are many other possible causes for many of those symptoms.

However, you should see a healthcare provider if you experience any possible lymphoma symptoms. Catching the cancer early often allows for more treatment options.