Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States. It is a cancer that can affect the lymph nodes, thymus gland, spleen, and bone marrow which is all known as the lymphatic symptom. Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are the two main subtypes of this disease. Some of the factors that increase the risk of lymphoma are age, sex, a compromised immune system, and the presence of certain infections.
Common early warning symptoms of lymphoma include the following:
1. Painless swelling of lymph nodes
A painless swelling of the lymph nodes is one of the most common symptoms of lymphoma. This typically occurs in the neck, groin, or armpit region. However swollen lymph nodes do not always indicate the presence of lymphoma, and not everyone with lymphoma will have these swollen lumps.
2. Persistent fatigue
Fatigue is not the same as being tired. Fatigue means feeling tired and drained after doing very little for no apparent reason. It is typically overwhelming and does not go away without sleep and rest. One sign of lymphoma is a persistent fatigue accompanied by a lack of energy and interest. Fatigue caused by lymphoma can range from moderate to severe, and anyone experiencing this should see a medical professional as it can also be a sign of many other conditions.
3. Fever and night sweats
Fevers are often a common sign of an infection. A consistent fever can be a sign of advanced lymphoma. These are usually low grade and followed by body chills. Night sweats can also occur, and tend to happen while you are asleep but may also occur during the day, and can lead to waking up in soaking sheets.
4. Shortness of breath
The swelling of the thymus or lymph nodes in the chest can lead to shortness of breath. They press on the trachea and airways making it difficult to breath and giving the sensation of tightness of the chest.
5. Unexplained weight loss
Lymphoma cancer cells burn up the body’s energy while the body is trying to fight off these cells leading to sudden and unexplained weight loss. A loss of ten percent of more of body weight is typically a sign of lymphoma and should be discussed with a medical professional.
6. Rash and Itching
Lymphoma can cause rashes that lead to itchy skin. The rash may appear as a purple or reddish scaly area on the body. They typically occur in skin folds and can cause lumps of nodules to form on the skin. This symptom is less common in people who have Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
There are a number of options for follicular lymphoma treatments. If caught early, some doctors recommend the watch and wait approach, where active treatment is not started until the patient develops symptoms. Radiation and chemotherapy are used often as follicular lymphoma is very responsive to it. Recently Policy for follicular lymphoma, combined with chemotherapy and BR, has been approved in the United States for treatment.