Clinical features

The commonest symptom is swelling of a lymph node in the neck, armpit or groin. This is usually painless. Some people may feel generally unwell with the following systemic symptoms called ‘B symptoms’:

• Profuse sweating especially at night
• High temperatures that come and go
• Loss of weight

Other systemic symptoms may include:

• Itchy skin
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Abdominal pain
• Anaemia, bleeding or severe infections associated with bone marrow suppression

People may be very well or extremely ill when they first present with NHL

There may be a range of other symptoms depending on where the lymphoma is, how ‘bulky’ it is and how much swelling it has caused and what structures the swelling has affected. This may include pressure on nerves or bones causing pain. Visible swelling and discomfort of the tonsils or the abdomen. If lymphoma affects the brain there may be cognitive defects, fits, difficulty moving limbs or personality changes.

Click the link for details of:

• Tests

Amended February 2009