Lymphoma Symptoms
July 13, 2024
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Alex Herrera, M.D., associate professor, division of lymphoma, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte
Lymphoma is a term used to describe a collection of different types of cancer that start in the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small structures that exist throughout the body as part of the immune system. The symptoms of lymphoma may vary depending on the type of lymphoma. Some common types include:
Within these main types, there are also many different subtypes of lymphoma, each with different signs and symptoms. Here’s what patients and families need to know about common lymphoma signs and symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Lymphoma
Typically, there are few or no early signs of lymphoma, which means that many lymphoma diagnoses occur in the more advanced stages of the illness. In addition, some of the first lymphoma cancer symptoms — such as swollen lymph nodes, cough or fever — may look like other common illnesses. This may make early lymphoma diagnosis a challenge. The most common lymphoma symptoms may include:
- Unexplained fevers
- Swollen lymph nodes that do not go away
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unusual sweating, especially at night
- Extremely itchy skin
- Severe tiredness that does not go away with rest
- Cough, shortness of breath or chest discomfort
While the swollen lymph nodes from lymphoma may appear anywhere in the body, with Hodgkin lymphoma they are most likely to start in the upper body. This includes the neck, chest, armpits and abdomen. Pain in the lymph nodes may also be felt more after drinking alcohol.
Some signs of lymphoma cancer that might be noticed by a medical provider during a general physical exam or lab tests include:
- An enlarged spleen or liver
- Anemia (not enough healthy red blood cells)
- High levels of certain types of white blood cells
- A high level of certain inflammation markers in the blood
Much like the symptoms mentioned, these lymphoma signs may also point to a number of other medical conditions. More medical tests may be performed before a definitive diagnosis is made.
Lymphoma Symptoms in Women versus Men
The symptoms of lymphoma in women and men are the same. However, some lymphoma symptoms in females may be mistaken for other conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or menopause. Unfortunately, this may cause some women to initially overlook their symptoms or delay seeing a medical provider.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to a combination of symptoms that affects approximately half of reproductive-aged women. Abdominal discomfort — from swollen lymph nodes or an enlarged spleen or liver — may be mistaken for PMS symptoms initially. Additionally, fatigue is a symptom of both lymphoma and PMS.
Menopause is a normal condition involving the end of the menstrual cycle. Many women experience symptoms for several years prior to menopause. Several lymphoma symptoms may be confused with those of menopause. Women who are experiencing menopause frequently report symptoms such as drenching night sweats and sleep disturbances, which may lead to feeling extremely tired during the day.
This is why it is important for patients of any gender who notice new or unexpected changes to their body to let their medical team know right away.
Read more to learn about lymphoma symptoms by type:
Jamil A, Mukkamalla SKR. Lymphoma, July 17, 2023. StatPearls.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560826/American Society of Clinical Oncology. Lymphoma - non-Hodgkin: symptoms and signs, November 2022.
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lymphoma-non-hodgkin/symptoms-and-signsAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology. Lymphoma - Hodgkin: symptoms and signs, March 2022.
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lymphoma-hodgkin/symptoms-and-signsHerrera A. Hodgkin lymphoma, 2022. ASH Hematology Review Series.
Gudipally PR, Sharma GK. Premenstrual syndrome, July 17, 2023. StatPearls.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560698/Peacock K, Carlson K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause, December 21, 2023. StatPearls.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/