Yes, it is possible to have lymphoma and not know it, especially in its early stages. Many types of lymphoma, particularly slow-growing (indolent) non-Hodgkin lymphomas, may not cause noticeable symptoms for a long time.
How long can you have lymphoma without noticing? You can have lymphoma for years without noticing changes in your body.
Night sweats, persistent fevers and unexplained weight loss are three of the most common lymphoma symptoms. Symptoms can appear with any type of lymphoma, but they're more commonly seen in advanced, fast-growing blood cancers.
Common symptoms of having lymphoma include swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, in your armpits or your groin. This is often but not always painless and often could be associated with fevers, or unexplained weight loss, or drenching night sweats, sometimes chills, persistent fatigue.
Bowel problems such as diarrhoea, constipation and wind (flatulence) can happen with lymphoma and its treatment for a number of reasons, including: the effects of the lymphoma itself.
a painless lump or swelling, usually in your neck, armpit or groin – this is the most common symptom.
Lymphomas that start or grow in the abdomen (belly) can cause swelling or pain in the abdomen. This could be from lymph nodes or organs, such as the spleen or liver, getting bigger. It can also be caused by the buildup of large amounts of fluid.
NHL most often affects adults, but children can get it too. See Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. NHL usually starts in lymph nodes or other lymph tissue, but it can sometimes affect the skin.
Weight loss is more common with fast-growing (high-grade) lymphomas. This is because they put a sudden energy demand on your body, as well as reducing your appetite by making you feel unwell. Lymphoma is just one of the possible causes of unexplained weight loss.
Blood tests can sometimes show whether lymphoma cells are present. Blood tests may be used to test for viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Blood tests also measure levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is often higher in people with lymphoma.
Signs and symptoms of Advanced Lymphoma
The enlarged lymph node sometimes causes other symptoms by pressing against a vein (causing swelling of an arm or leg), or against a nerve (causing pain, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg). Some people experience lower back pain that is unexplained.
From the available research, there isn't strong evidence that stress can cause or worsen lymphoma or any type of cancer, or that it can make it come back (relapse).
Signs of lymphoma can include: Enlarged lymph node in the neck, shoulder or chest (most common symptom) Enlarged liver or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen. Enlarged spleen or pain on the upper right side of the abdomen.
Indolent lymphoma, also known as low-grade lymphoma, is a group of slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). Because they spread slowly, they tend to have fewer signs and symptoms when first diagnosed and may not require immediate treatment.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
NHL is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Though NHL can develop at any age, more than half of patients diagnosed with the disease are between 65 and 74 years of age.
However, many patients with lymphoma, even aggressive lymphoma, will have a normal CBC and this should not be considered evidence against a lymphoma diagnosis.
With lymphoma, you can itch anywhere on your body, but it's common on the lower legs, hands, feet, torso (between waist and shoulders), or near affected lymph nodes, often worsening at night and without a typical rash, feeling deep and unrelieved by scratching. This itchiness is caused by immune chemicals (cytokines) irritating nerve endings, and can be a symptom of both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Sometimes, people with cancer can gain weight. It is more common with certain types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer. It's also more common with certain treatments.
Our specialists use a variety of tools to gather complex information about lymphoma for accurate diagnosis, including:
Lymphoma's exact cause is often unknown, but it develops from genetic damage to lymphocytes (white blood cells), leading to uncontrolled growth, with risk factors including a weakened immune system (from diseases or medications), certain viral/bacterial infections (like Epstein-Barr, HIV, H. pylori), family history, exposure to specific chemicals (benzene, pesticides), radiation, and lifestyle factors like smoking, notes Cancer Council.
stage 4. B symptoms (unexplained fever that doesn't go away, drenching night sweats and unexplained weight loss)
MALT lymphoma most often develops in the stomach and is called gastric MALT lymphoma. Symptoms of gastric MALT lymphoma include: indigestion or heartburn.
An interventional radiology image-guided biopsy may be used to diagnose MALT lymphoma in the salivary glands or lungs. A bronchoscopy can also be used for the lungs. An endoscopy may be used to diagnose gastric MALT lymphoma. After a MALT lymphoma diagnosis is made, doctors will try to determine the cancer stage.
Lymph tissue is in many parts of your body, so Hodgkin lymphoma can start almost anywhere, but: