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6 common symptoms of lymphoma

6 common symptoms of lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that begins in the cells called lymphocytes, which fight infections. Lymphoma is a highly treatable form of cancer, with the best chance of remission if the illness is caught in its early stages. While there are many types of lymphoma, all can be diagnosed through a series of tests. However, it is essential to recognize the symptoms to get an early diagnosis and treatment.

Fever and chills
These are the most common symptoms of lymphoma. One can experience a recurring high- or low-grade fever accompanied by chills. The severity of the symptoms could vary from person to person. When one experiences fever without an apparent cause, like an infection, it could indicate cancer.

Fatigue
Another common lymphoma system, fatigue, is when one feels tired, and the feeling does not go away even when one gets enough rest and sleep. Fatigue is brought on by the immune system’s response to cancer cells, especially if the cancer cells develop in the lymph nodes. Fatigue can also be a side effect of treatment for lymphoma.

Itchiness
When one experiences persistent itchiness, it could be a lymphoma cancer symptom, indicating that the disease has spread to other organs. The symptom has been described as the feeling of a bug crawling over the skin. People with lymphoma could have an itchy scalp, itchy and sore throat and mouth area, and itchy ears leading to issues in one’s hearing.

Loss of appetite
A loss of appetite and change in one’s body mass can indicate lymphoma and even other types of cancers. For example, many people with diseases experience sudden physical changes as their bodies try to fight off the infection. At times, loss of appetite could also be brought on by nausea and vomiting. Further, one can feel full after a small meal when an enlarged spleen presses on the stomach if the lymphoma develops in the abdomen.

Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped organs that help fight infection and other diseases by filtering out pathogens in your body. Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck and armpits, are a common sign of lymphoma cancer. They can also swell when there’s an allergic reaction or infection. In addition to these causes, one may have developed an immune response to a chemotherapy treatment option, which may cause swelling in the neck or other body parts.

Night sweats
Night sweats could mean that one completely soaks the sheets and bedding due to excessive sweat while sleeping. Alternatively, some people could experience mild night sweats wherein they have dry and clammy patches on the skin. They can be a sign of infection or cancer, but they can also occur when one experiences anxiety or stress. Excessive sweating may happen at any time during the day and night, but a common lymphoma cancer symptom is night sweats, where one perspires while sleeping. The sweating could last five minutes to an hour. It could be the body’s response to fever, another common symptom of the condition. By sweating, the body temperature cools down.

Lymphoma can go undetected for years, so it is essential to get examined if one experiences one or more of the above symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial for treating the disease and managing its symptoms. So, one should get regular checkups and consult their doctor if they notice any unexplained changes in appearance or energy levels.