Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can cause different symptoms depending on where it is found in the body.

Most common symptom – a painless swelling in the neck, under the arm or in the groin, caused by enlarged lymph nodes.

B symptoms – having a fever with no obvious cause; lots of sweating, especially at night; and losing weight without trying.

Other symptoms – may include feeling very tired, weak, drained and worn-out (known as fatigue) or, in rare cases, having itchy skin. Sometimes non-Hodgkin lymphoma starts in lymph nodes in deeper parts of the body, such as the:

• stomach or spleen (causing bloating or back pain)
• bowels or abdomen (causing low appetite, stomach upsets, changes in bowel movements or belly pain)
• chest (causing coughing and difficulty swallowing or breathing)
• brain and spinal cord (causing headaches or double vision).

These symptoms are common to many conditions, such as the flu or a virus. If you have any symptoms without an obvious cause, make an appointment to see your general practitioner (GP).

I’d noticed a lump in my neck but didn’t think much of it. When I started sweating so much at night that the sheets were drenched, I went to the doctor. After a biopsy I was told I had follicular lymphoma. I had no idea what that was.

Helen

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