There are over 60 types of lymphoma, broadly divided into Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

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Common symptoms of lymphoma​

We outline the common symptoms of lymphoma below. However, it’s important to note that these can have other causes. Having one or more doesn’t necessarily mean that you have lymphoma.

Swollen lymph nodes

The most common sign of lymphoma is a lump or lumps, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. These lumps are swollen lymph nodes, sometimes known as ‘glands’. Usually, they’re painless.

 

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Fatigue

Fatigue is different to normal tiredness. It means feeling exhausted for no obvious reason or feeling washed out after doing very little.

 

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Unexplained weight loss

Losing a lot of weight quite quickly without trying to can be a symptom of lymphoma.

Infections

Getting infections more easily and having difficulty getting rid of them can be a symptom of lymphoma.

 

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Sweats

Sweats can happen at any time of the day with lymphoma, but they are most common at night. They are often described as ‘drenching’ and can make your nightclothes or bed sheets soaking wet.

Itching

Itching (‘pruritus’) without a rash can be a symptom of lymphoma. It can be very uncomfortable, particularly when you get hot.

 

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Fever

Some people get fevers (temperatures above 38°C or 100.4°F). Fevers often come together with night sweats and weight loss, but they can happen separately. They can also be a sign of infection.

 

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B symptoms​

You might hear the term ‘B symptoms’. This means that you have:

• unexplained weight loss
• night sweats
• fever.

Doctors often use these during staging(working out how many different parts of your body are affected by lymphoma). B symptoms are more common with some types of lymphoma than others.

Doctors will take account of whether you have any B symptoms when they plan your treatment.

 

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‘Local’ and ‘systemic’ symptoms​

Symptoms of lymphoma can be:

• local, which means that they affect just one area of your body
• systemic, which means that they affect the whole of your body.

Local symptoms​

Local symptoms affect the area in and around the lymphoma itself.

The most common local symptom is a swollen lymph node or nodes. Other local symptoms are caused by swollen nodes pressing on nearby tissues. The symptoms you have depend on where the swollen lymph nodes are. You might have:

• chest symptoms, such as a cough, breathlessness or a feeling of pressure on your chest
• tummy (abdominal) symptoms, such as loss of appetite, feeling full or bloated
• skin symptoms, such as a rash or itching
• swelling in your arms or legs.

Less common symptoms include:

• pain
• symptoms that affect the brain and nerves, such as fits (seizures), dizziness or weakness in an arm or leg.

Systemic symptoms​

Systemic symptoms affect your whole body. They can include:

• weight loss
• fever
• night sweats
• fatigue
• itching
• frequent infections
• shortness of breath.

Systemic symptoms are more common with Hodgkin lymphoma and high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They are less common in people with low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma.