Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer. Symptoms of Lymphoma are primarily based on what kind of Lymphoma you have, what stage of Lymphoma you are diagnosed with, and what organs have been affected by the disease. Most people face the most common signs of Lymphoma, but many do not notice any symptoms.
It would be beneficial for you to identify the symptoms early so you can receive treatment as soon as possible; many cancer hospitals in Bangalore offer treatment. So today, this blog will tell you how I knew I had Lymphoma.
Table of Contents
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a kind of blood cancer that weakens the immune system. It mainly affects lymphocytes, a vital component of your immune system, and white blood cells. Lymphatic cancer, or cancer of the lymphatic system, is another name for Lymphoma.
Also Check: How does blood cancer occur?
Types of Lymphoma
There are mainly two types of Lymphoma
- Non-Hodgkin (the most common type of Lymphoma)
- Hodgkin.
Different lymphocyte cells are involved in Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Each form of Lymphoma develops at a special rate and distinctly reacts to the medication.
How I knew I had Lymphoma: Common Symptoms
Symptoms of Lymphoma rely heavily on the type and location in the body. We have listed some of the most common symptoms of Lymphoma to help you find out if you have contracted the disease.
1. Swollen Lymph Nodes
One of the most typical lymphoma indications is a lump or lumps. Your lymph nodes are elements of your immune system and function by distributing lymph fluid, including immune cells, throughout your body.
Your body contains 600 or more lymph nodes. These lumps are enlarged lymph nodes called “glands” or “lumps.” They usually cause no pain. You can spot swollen lymph nodes easily on:
- Side of the neck
- Underarm area
- Groin
- Above the collarbone.
Remember that other conditions, including mononucleosis, strep throat, or ear infections, can also result in painful, swollen lymph nodes.
A swollen lymph node generally indicates anything other than Lymphoma more frequently than not. Still, it may be time to check if you also have other symptoms that are otherwise inexplicable.
2. Fatigue
Usual exhaustion is not the same as fatigue. It refers to feeling worn out or wiped out after working very little and for no apparent reason.
3. Unintentional Weight Loss
Lymphoma can cause rapid, significant weight loss without trying. If you drop over 5% of your usual body weight for six to twelve months, the NHS suggests you visit your doctor.
- This entails dropping at least half a stone (7 lbs or 3kg) for the average person.
- People with Lymphoma can lose more than 10% of their overall weight within six months. For instance, a person with Lymphoma who typically weighs 11 stone (70 kg) may drop up to 15 pounds (7 kg).
It’s crucial to remember that many people disregard this sign because stress, a healthy lifestyle that includes nutrition and exercise, and other factors can also lead to weight loss.
4. Infections
Lymphoma first appears in white blood cells, which fight infections in the body. Lymphoma symptoms can include an increased tendency to infections and trouble recovering from them. Call your doctor if you see an increase in infections.
5. Night Sweats
Lymphoma can cause sweating at any time of day, but at night they are more frequent. However, these will be drenching night time sweats. Many people experience getting hot at night, especially if they don’t sleep in a bed by themselves.
If your night sweats are so severe that you must keep changing your clothes or bedding, that could indicate a more serious issue. They are sometimes described as “drenching.”
6. Itching
Hodgkin lymphoma is considerably more likely than non-Hodgkin Lymphoma to cause itching (‘pruritus’).
Lymphoma-related itching can have an impact on
- Regions of skin damaged by Lymphoma close to lymph nodes
- Several lymphoma skin spots
- Your thighs
- Your entire body.
It could also result in a burning feeling and be very severe. Unless you have cutaneous Lymphoma, it’s uncommon to have a rash along with it.
7. Fever
A fever is a rising body temperature of at least 38°C (100.4°F). Although infection is nearly always the culprit, there are a few additional, less frequent reasons, like Lymphoma.
With Lymphoma, fevers are generally modest (low-grade) (low-grade). This indicates that their body temperatures are just slightly elevated. These fevers typically come and go.
Lymphoma induced fevers as the cells generate chemicals that increase your body temperature.
8. Bad cough
A cough by itself can signify a wide range of conditions, from a tickling in the throat to a cold to something a little more serious. It might not seem that important, but it won’t harm you to visit your doctor if you think something else is happening.
Body Part-Specific Symptoms of Lymphoma
1. Chest Symptoms
Swollen lymph nodes in your chest may compress your lungs and airways. They might also result in fluid building up around your lungs.
Symptoms of enlarged lymph nodes in the chest include
- Dry cough
- Breathing difficulty
- Agitated breathing
- The back of the breastbone hurts
- A pressing sensation in the chest.
When you lie down, these may get worse. Consult your doctor if your cough or shortness of breath persists for more than three weeks.
2. Abdominal Signs
Lymphatic tissue in your liver or spleen and lymph nodes in your abdomen can develop into Lymphoma. If you notice any of the following signs, consult your doctor:
- Blood in the feces
- A change in bowel habits that stays more than seven days, such as constipation or diarrhea
- Yellow or green vomit
- Vomiting that lasts longer than two days
- Vomiting prevents you from drinking fluids without throwing up, leading to dehydration.
3. Brain and Nerve Symptoms
The Lymphoma’s location will determine the symptoms that impact your brain and nerves. However, they may include
- Seizures
- Difficulties with balancing
- Dizziness
- Issues with attention and memory
- Tingling or weakness in the arm or leg.
- Commonly in the hands or feet, tingling, numbness, or a burning feeling
- Pain
- Heightened sensitivity to temperature or touch
- Small muscle contractions
What is Happening When There Are No Symptoms?
Some individuals with Lymphoma don’t suffer any irritating issues, which implies they’re asymptomatic. Or they might not understand how severe their symptoms are.
Asymptomatic individuals tend to have one of the following kinds of Lymphoma:
- Follicular Lymphoma
- Slow-growing subtypes of Lymphoma
- Marginal zone lymphoma
- Small lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)
FAQs
Q1: How long does Lymphoma take to develop symptoms?
Q2: Can Lymphoma symptoms fluctuate over time?
Q3: What kinds of tests do doctors perform for Lymphoma?
Q4: Can you catch Lymphoma from someone?
Q5: How is lymphoma diagnosed?
Q6: Is lymphoma curable?
Conclusion: This blog has provided answers to your questions on how I discovered How I knew I had Lymphoma? It can be very hard fighting such a deadly disease, but if you stay strong, you can defeat it. We have gathered some pointers that you can use to be aware of the disease. If you can detect Lymphoma at an early stage, your chances of recovery also increase drastically. So be sure to keep an eye out for the symptoms mentioned above and consult a doctor as soon as you notice one.
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