Lymphoma: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

Symptoms of lymphoma can vary among individuals and differ depending on the specific type and stage of advancement of the disease.

Symptoms of lymphoma are generally caused by the high numbers of abnormal white blood cells that overcome the normal white blood cells and red blood cells. The abnormal white blood cells are not able to fight infection as effectively as the normal white blood cells, resulting in frequent infections. Lower numbers of red blood cells result in anemia and symptoms that include fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, and slow healing of wounds.

Lymphoma that has spread to the bone marrow also reduces the number of platelet cells, which are needed for normal clotting. This results in easy bleeding and bruising.

Symptoms of lymphoma include:

• Anemia

• Bone and joint pain

• Easy bruising and bleeding

• Fatigue, weakness and malaise

• Fever

• Loss of appetite

• Night sweats

• Pale skin (pallor)

• Shortness of breath

• Slow healing of wounds

• Swollen lymph gland or glands (lymphadenopathy), which often appear first in the neck, groin or armpit. The swollen glands can also appear in other areas of the body.

• Unexpected weight loss