Hi! Thank you for your question. Before I get to the symptoms of lymphoma, allow me to explain what is lymphoma first. Lymphoma is the cancer of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are cells that are needed to fight infection in the body (immune system). There are many types of lymphocytes.

These cells are found in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body. Lymph nodes are part of lymphatic system, a component of the body’s immune system. In lymphoma, these cells tend to grow out of control. There are 2 types of lymphomas; Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

These cancers affect different types of lymphocytes. Even these 2 types of lymphoma there are many smaller subtypes. Hodgkin’s lymphoma usually occurs among young adults or elderly patients where as Non-Hodgkin’s usually is occurs among children.

The symptoms of lymphoma includes :
1. Painless localized lymph node enlargement or swellings. These swelling can be around the neck, groin or even above the collar bone. This lymph node will be felt by the doctor but sometimes even by the patients themselves.
2. Fatigue/ tiredness
3. Pruritus (itchiness) – patient also usually present with excoriations / scratch marks
4. Fever (>38ºC or 100.4ºF)
5. Unexplained Weight loss (>10% body weight over 6 months)
6. Drenching night sweats
7. Alcohol induced pain
8. Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen which will be detected by the doctor)
9. Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver which will be detected by the doctor)
10. Signs of anaemia (dizziness, headache, Easy fatigue and loss of energy, unusually rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, pale skin
11. Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) – this is rare.
12. Skin lesions – this is only usually present with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
13. Very rarely Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can also affect the lung, intestines and testis.