What is lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system and helps fight infection and disease. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma causes cells in the lymphatic system to abnormally multiply and grow out of control. This can form tumors in the lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. When lymphoma spreads and grows, it can make you feel unwell in different ways.
Symptoms
Many symptoms of lymphoma are related to its effects on the immune system and lymph nodes. Common symptoms include:
- Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever and chills
- Night sweats
- Itching skin
- Cough or trouble breathing
- Pain or swelling in the abdomen
The specific symptoms someone experiences can vary depending on the type of lymphoma and which parts of the body are affected. For example, lymphoma in the abdomen can cause abdominal pain, while lymphoma in the chest can lead to a cough. The symptoms may develop slowly over time or come on suddenly.
Does lymphoma always make you feel sick?
Lymphoma does not always cause symptoms right away or make someone feel unwell. In some cases, lymphoma is found incidentally before major symptoms appear. This often occurs when a person has imaging tests for unrelated reasons or has swollen lymph nodes biopsied.
However, over time lymphoma usually begins causing symptoms that make a person feel sick or run down. How quickly this occurs depends on factors like:
- The type of lymphoma
- Where it is located in the body
- How fast the cancer cells are growing and spreading
- The person’s overall health
For types like fast-growing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, symptoms tend to develop weeks to months before diagnosis. For slower growing follicular lymphoma, symptoms may take years to appear. But nearly all lymphomas will eventually cause some degree of illness without treatment.
Stages of lymphoma
The stage of a person’s lymphoma can also affect how sick they feel:
Stage I: The cancer is limited to one lymph node region or organ. Many people have minimal symptoms at this stage.
Stage II: The lymphoma has spread to involve two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm. Symptoms are more pronounced.
Stage III: The cancer has spread to lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm. Symptoms are more significant.
Stage IV: The lymphoma is widespread to more distant organs like the lungs, liver or bones. Symptoms are most severe at this stage.
So in general, the more advanced the lymphoma, the more ill a person typically feels.
Common symptoms in detail
Many of the symptoms lymphoma patients experience are related to dysfunction in the immune system and inflammation from the spread of malignant cells. Some of the most common symptoms and how they make patients feel unwell:
Swollen lymph nodes
Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, or groin are often the first sign of lymphoma. This occurs as malignant lymphocytes accumulate within nodes. Swollen nodes can range from small to quite large. The swelling may cause pain or discomfort, especially if pressing on nerves and tissues. Patients sometimes describe feeling like their nodes are tender, throbbing or achy.
Fatigue
Excessive fatigue and tiredness affect up to 90% of lymphoma patients. It can come on severely and suddenly. Fatigue may make patients feel weak, drained, sluggish or exhausted even with adequate rest. It can significantly impact their functional abilities at work and home. Fatigue is likely caused by the demands of cancer cells on the body’s energy.
Unexplained weight loss
Up to a third of patients experience significant weight loss before or at lymphoma diagnosis. This is the result of poor appetite, increased metabolism from cancer demands, and the body breaking down fat and muscle. Losing a large amount of weight without trying can leave patients feeling frail, impaired and distressed.
Fever and chills
Low grade fevers and chills are another common symptom often experienced at night. Fevers from lymphoma are typically around 100-101°F and associated with drenching night sweats. This can leave patients feeling cold, clammy, and exhausted from disturbed sleep. The fevers are likely caused by high levels of circulating lymphocytes and inflammation.
Itching skin
Severe itching without a rash, called pruritus, affects up to 30% of lymphoma patients. It often starts in one area and spreads. The itching can be intolerable, causing sore skin and inability to sleep. It is thought to result from cytokines secreted by lymphoma cells.
Cough or trouble breathing
Lymphoma in the chest can press on the windpipe or lungs. This leads to persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Difficulty breathing can leave patients feeling anxious and panicked. The cancer can also cause fluid buildup around the lungs.
Pain or swelling in the abdomen
If lymphoma develops in lymph nodes or organs in the abdomen, it can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Bloating or feeling of fullness
- Swelling and pain from enlarged spleen or liver
- Loss of appetite and early satiety
- Changes in bowel habits including constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
This combination of fluid retention, organ enlargement, and gastrointestinal dysfunction can make patients extremely uncomfortable. It may lead to poor intake and further weight loss.
When to see a doctor
It’s important to be evaluated by a doctor if you have any persistent symptoms that are unusual for you. Many lymphoma symptoms are vague and could be caused by other, less serious conditions. But it’s essential to rule out a serious diagnosis like lymphoma, especially if symptoms are progressive or affect your normal functioning.
See a doctor promptly if you experience:
- Swollen lymph nodes lasting more than 2-4 weeks
- Unexplained weight loss of 10 or more pounds
- Drenching night sweats that soak your clothes or bedding
- Persistent fatigue that is not relieved by rest
- Fevers above 100.5°F for multiple days
- Severe itching lasting more than 2-3 weeks
Catching lymphoma early provides the best chance for effective treatment before cancer has spread. Speaking with a doctor as soon as abnormal symptoms appear can help access life-saving therapies sooner.
Conclusion
Lymphoma refers to blood cancer that arises in the lymphatic system. It causes abnormal lymphocyte cells to proliferate rapidly. These cancerous cells form tumors and collect in lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow, and other areas. As lymphoma grows and spreads, it can make patients feel quite ill. It damages immunity and causes systemic symptoms like swollen nodes, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, and itching. Abdominal lymphoma also leads to swelling, pain, and digestive issues.
While lymphoma may not immediately cause symptoms, most patients will eventually feel sick as the cancer progresses. The specific symptoms and how unwell a person feels depends on the lymphoma type, location, speed of growth, and cancer stage. Feeling severely fatigued, having drenching sweats, and losing weight without trying can all be signs of lymphoma. It’s important to see a doctor promptly if you have any persistent symptoms that are unusual for your health baseline. Getting evaluated quickly provides the best chance to access treatment before lymphoma can significantly impact your wellbeing.