Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Alternative Names

Symptoms

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause a variety of symptoms. Symptoms depend on what area of the body is affected by the cancer. Symptoms may include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms, groin, or other areas (may occur as an armpit lump)
• Fever
• Excessive sweating with night sweats
• Unintentional weight loss
• Severe itchiness

Coughing or shortness of breath may occur if the cancer affects the thymus gland or lymph nodes in the chest, which puts pressure on the windpipe.

Some patients may have stomach pain or swelling, which may lead to a loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

If the cancer affects cells in the brain, the person may have a headache, concentration problems, personality changes, or seizures.

Exams and Tests

The doctor will perform a physical exam and feel lymph nodes to see if they are swollen. Tests to diagnose and stage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include:

• Lymph node biopsy
• Bone marrow biopsy
• CBC with differential
• CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
• Blood chemistry tests
• X-rays
• PET (positron emission tomography) scan

References

American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2006.

Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Orlando, Fl: Churchill Livingstone; 2004: 2985-3014.