Lymphoma Signs and Symptoms

Lymphoma Symptoms: What to Look For

I’m Charlotte, founder of Lymphoma Out Loud. When I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in my 20s, I didn’t know what I was looking for. I want you to know more than I did.

There are two main kinds of lymphoma – Hodgkin Lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The symptoms you get depend on your type of lymphoma, and where it develops in your body.

Most of these symptoms can be mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, like the flu. That’s one of the reasons lymphoma can be harder to diagnose than some other cancers. The more you know your body, the more likely you are to catch it early – and early treatment tends to work better.

Symptoms usually fall into two groups. Local symptoms are caused by lymphoma in one part of your body. General symptoms affect your whole body. You might have one, several, or none at all – every case is different.

Local Symptoms

Swollen Lymph Nodes

The most common symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node. Around half of people with lymphoma notice one. You might feel it as a lump – sizes vary a lot, from pea-sized to grape-sized, sometimes growing larger, even golf-ball sized or more. It’s most commonly felt in the:cneck, collarbone, armpit and groin.

A swollen lymph node caused by lymphoma is usually painless, and tends to grow slowly over weeks or months, though sometimes it can grow quickly. It won’t necessarily hurt, but some people find it aches, especially after drinking alcohol.

Swollen lymph nodes are common and are usually caused by infection, not cancer. But a lump that doesn’t go away within 2–3 weeks, or that keeps growing, should always be checked by a GP.

In Your Chest

Lymphoma in the lymph nodes in your chest can press on your lungs and airways. This can cause a cough, breathlessness, or a feeling of chest pressure. If you’ve had a cough lasting more than 3 weeks – get it checked.

In Your Abdomen

Many lymph nodes sit deep inside the body, where you can’t feel them. Lymphoma here – or in an organ like the spleen or liver – can cause swelling or pain in your abdomen, a loss of appetite, or feeling full after only a small meal.

General Symptoms

Night Sweats

Sweats severe enough to soak your clothes or bedsheets, and that wake you up. They’re called night sweats, but can happen during the day too. They can also be caused by other things, like a viral infection or the menopause – but if they’re persistent, get them checked.

Extreme Tiredness

Fatigue that isn’t fixed by sleep or rest. Not just “a bit tired” – more like feeling drained of energy, where even getting dressed can feel like too much.

Itching

Unexplained itching, without a rash. It can affect the skin near an affected lymph node, your lower legs, or your whole body. It’s more strongly associated with Hodgkin lymphoma, though it can happen with non-Hodgkin lymphoma too.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Losing weight without dieting or changing how much you exercise. The NHS advises seeing your GP if you lose more than 5% of your body weight in a month, or more than 10% over 6 months.

Fever

A fever that comes and goes, sometimes low-grade, can be a symptom – often appearing later on.