A lump in your neck can make your mind jump to the worst-case scenario.
But swollen lymph nodes are common, and happen for many reasons, from a recent infection to inflammation. In some cases, though, changes in your lymph nodes or other lingering symptoms can be a sign of something more serious, like non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
And it doesn’t always look the way people expect.
“One of the challenges with non-Hodgkin lymphoma is that many symptoms can seem unrelated or easy to explain away,” says Yelena Pristyazhnyuk, DO, a hematologist and oncologist with Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute. “That’s why paying attention to persistent changes matters most.”
First, what is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, part of your immune system.
It affects white blood cells called lymphocytes and can develop in lymph nodes, the spleen, bone marrow or other parts of the body.
“There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “Some grow slowly over many years, while others can develop more quickly. This is why symptoms can look different for each person.”
Here are seven non-Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms doctors don’t want you to ignore.
1. A swollen lymph node that doesn’t go away
We’ve all had swollen glands when we’re sick. Usually, they shrink after the infection goes away. But it’s different if they stay.
“A painless swollen lymph node is one of the most common ways non-Hodgkin lymphoma first shows up,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “Patients often notice a lump but otherwise feel completely fine.”
These swollen lymph nodes most often show up here:
- Armpit
- Groin
- Neck
“Pain often gets our attention first,” Dr. Pristyazhnyuk says. “This is where it’s tricky. These swollen nodes usually don’t hurt, so they can be surprisingly easy to ignore.”
> Related: Living Longer with Lymphoma While Coping with Side Effects
2. Fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix
We all feel tired sometimes. This is different.
“Many patients describe this as a fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “You sleep all night, have your morning espresso and somehow still feel leveled by lunchtime.”
This type of fatigue may:
- Affect concentration.
- Leave you feeling exhausted without a clear reason.
- Limit exercise or activity.
- Make everyday tasks feel harder.
“People are often surprised to learn that significant fatigue can be related to blood cancers like lymphoma,” Dr. Pristyazhnyuk says. “It’s often one of the first signs that something in the body isn’t working normally.”
> Related: Could Your Workout Routine Protect You From Cancer?
3. Fevers or night sweats that seem to come out of nowhere
Have you ever woken up soaked in sweat and wondered why?
“This isn’t the kind of sweating that comes from a warm room or too many blankets,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “Patients often describe waking up soaked enough to change their clothes or bedding.”
Some people experience:
- Chills
- Drenching night sweats
- Recurring fevers
“Because these symptoms can come and go, they are easy to overlook,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “But just because they aren’t always here doesn’t make them less important.”
> Related: 6 Signs It’s Time to See a Doctor for My Fever
4. Unexplained weight loss
Your clothes start to fit differently. The number on the scale keeps going down, even though you’re not trying to lose weight.
“Unintentional weight loss is one of the classic warning signs we look for,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “Patients sometimes don’t notice it right away because the change happens gradually.”
In lymphoma, weight loss can happen even if your appetite hasn’t changed much.
“When the body is dealing with cancer, it can affect metabolism in ways patients don’t always recognize,” Dr. Pristyazhnyuk explains. “A check-up can help us connect the dots.”
> Related: 4 Signs Your Swollen Lymph Node Is Something More Serious
5. Persistent itching
This seems odd, right?
“Your skin itches. But there’s no rash, no bug bite and no obvious explanation, leaving patients puzzled,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “But it’s true. Itching can sometimes be associated with lymphoma.”
The itching may:
- Affect large areas of the body.
- Be worse at night.
- Come and go.
- Occur without visible skin changes.
“Symptoms don’t always make sense on their own,” Dr. Pristyazhnyuk explains. “Sometimes it’s the combination of symptoms that helps tell the story.”
> Related: Why Your Allergy Medicine Isn’t Working
6. Abdominal pain, bloating or feeling full quickly
Lymphoma doesn’t always start in places you can see.
“If the spleen or lymph nodes become enlarged in the abdomen, the symptoms can be more subtle,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk.
You might feel:
- Bloated.
- Full sooner than usual.
- Pressure in your abdomen.
- Uncomfortable.
“Because these symptoms can mimic digestive issues, many people don’t immediately think anything serious is going on,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk.
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7. Several symptoms show up together
Having just one symptom doesn’t mean you have lymphoma.
But when several symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma appear together, it’s time to pay closer attention.
For example:
- A swollen lymph node plus fatigue.
- Fatigue plus recurring fevers.
- Night sweats plus weight loss.
“Most people with a swollen lymph node don’t have lymphoma,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “What gets our attention is when multiple symptoms occur together or continue over time. That’s when we want to look at the whole picture.”
When to see a doctor
And what if something just doesn’t feel right?
“Please come see us and ask the questions,” says Dr. Pristyazhnyuk. “We would much rather evaluate a symptom and find a simple explanation than have someone ignore something important.”
