Early symptoms
The most common symptom of lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. The swelling is caused by an excess of affected lymphocytes collecting in one of your lymph nodes.
Though the swelling is painless for most of the time, you may find that drinking alcohol causes the swollen nodes to become painful.
It should be stressed that swollen nodes or glands are a common response to infection, so do not panic if you have swollen nodes. It is highly unlikely that they are the result of lymphoma.
Symptoms of advanced lymphoma
Other symptoms will usually only begin once the cancer has spread through most or all of your lymphatic system.
This causes the lymphatic system to malfunction, which in turn adversely effects your immune system.
Symptoms of advanced lymphoma include:
- Unexplained tiredness or fatigue.
- Night sweats.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Fever.
- Trouble getting rid of infections.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhoea.
- A persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness.
- Skin rash or itchy skin.
However, some people, particularly those with low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, will experience no additional symptoms.
When to seek medical advice
You should see your GP if you experience any of the additional symptoms listed above. You should also see your GP if swelling persists in one or more of your lymph nodes, yet you have no other symptoms of infection, such as a headache, rash or high temperature.
