Symptoms of Lymphoma: Appearance of local and systemic symptoms along with additional indicators
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymph system, a network of organs and tissues that hold infection-fighting white blood cells. This article aims to shed light on the early symptoms, risk factors, and diagnosis of lymphoma.
Lymphoma can present with a variety of symptoms, which can be either local or systemic. Local symptoms affect one specific region of the body, while systemic symptoms affect the whole body. Common early symptoms of lymphoma include one or more swollen lymph nodes, often in the groin, armpit, and side of the neck. Other symptoms may include fevers, chills, and night sweats, unexplained weight loss, exhaustion, bruising or bleeding easily, frequent or severe infections.
Symptoms in the brain may include headache, trouble thinking, facial numbness, weakness, seizures, personality changes, double vision, trouble speaking. Symptoms in the chest may include cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, chest pressure or pain. Lymphomas involving the skin tend to cause purple or red bumps and lumps under the skin, itchy skin, and rashes.
When it comes to Hodgkin lymphoma, common early symptoms include painless swelling of lymph nodes (often in the neck, underarm, or groin), persistent or intermittent fever (sometimes with a specific pattern called Pel-Ebstein fever), drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, itchy skin without rash, and sometimes chest pain or cough if lymph nodes in the chest are involved.
For non-Hodgkin lymphoma (particularly B-cell lymphoma), early symptoms are similar and can include swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. However, symptoms vary depending on the subtype and affected body regions, and some people may even have no symptoms initially.
People with risk factors for lymphoma, including autoimmune diseases, previous cancer treatment, organ transplants, HIV infections, family history, certain viruses, long-term infections, exposure to certain substances, being male, being Asian or African American, living in the United States or Europe, having breast implants, and increasing age, should undergo regular medical check-ups.
Common risk factors for Hodgkin lymphoma include a family history of Hodgkin lymphoma, infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), mononucleosis, or HIV, previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and most often develops in teens and young adults but can occur at any age. Risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (including B-cell lymphomas) are less clearly defined but include genetic mutations in immune cells, immunosuppression or autoimmune diseases, certain infections, and age and gender may also play roles but depend on the lymphoma type.
Doctors may diagnose lymphoma early through biopsies or imaging tests such as MRI, CT scans, PET scans, x-ray, bone scans, or ultrasounds. However, there are no widely accepted tests to detect lymphoma. If you experience any of the listed symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
In summary, understanding the early symptoms, risk factors, and diagnosis of lymphoma is essential for timely medical intervention. If you have concerns about any symptoms, do not hesitate to consult with a healthcare professional. Early medical evaluation can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.
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