Itching associated with lymphoma can feel like it is occurring below your skin and can't be satiated by scratching.
Skin symptoms
Common symptoms depend on the type of skin lymphoma, but could include: lumps, which are often a purple colour. patches of skin that are dry, red, scaly or itchy. patches of skin that are different to other areas – for example, are flatter, shiny, raised, scaly or red.
Childhood Lymphoma Symptoms
Itchy Armpits
You may have itchy skin near a swollen lymph node in your armpit. Itching usually isn't associated with a rash when it isn't caused by lymphoma of the skin. You may notice that itching gets worse when it's hot or at night when you're trying to sleep.
They can help to reduce itching, but don't work for everyone. Your doctor can prescribe antihistamines. There are many different types and they may give you some relief. They tend not to work so well for itching caused by lymphoma or due to jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct.
The most common early sign of lymphoma is a painless enlarged lymph node(s) in the neck or upper chest. Sometimes you can feel the swollen lymph node(s) in your armpit, stomach area or groin.
Children and adults can develop Hodgkin lymphoma, but it's most common in early adulthood, especially in a person's 20s. The risk of Hodgkin lymphoma rises again in late adulthood, after age 55. Overall, the average age at diagnosis is 39.
More information about the symptoms
Most of the remaining cases are acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ALL is most common in early childhood, peaking between ages 2 and 5 years. ALL is slightly more common among Hispanic and White children than among African American and Asian American children, and it is more common in boys than in girls.
Common leukemia signs and symptoms include:
Anemia, which can cause fatigue, headache, exercise intolerance, fast heart rate and a pale appearance (pallor) Bleeding symptoms like easy bruising, a rash known as petechiae, gum bleeding, nose bleeds and blood in the urine or stool. Increased infections, recurrent fevers and mouth sores.
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.
Blood tests
Complete blood count (CBC) with differential to analyze different types of white blood cells. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to detect inflammation that may be a sign of lymphoma. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to detect large amount of cell “turnover” or growth/death.
For non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the risk increases as you get older, with about half the people diagnosed over the age of 65. In Hodgkin lymphoma, cases are predominantly seen in two peaks, often in young adults 20 to 40, and again in older people over 55.
Itchy skin is a common symptom of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Studies show that more than half the people who have cutaneous T-cell lymphoma develop itchy skin. Itchy skin tends to be more common if you have a: More advanced stage of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
These three symptoms, called B symptoms, are also symptoms of lymphoma: high fever (38°C or higher) weight loss of a tenth or more of your previous weight over the past 6 months, when you haven't been trying to lose weight. night sweats which drench your nightclothes and bedding.
People with HL and NHL can experience systemic B symptoms including: Unexplained weight loss — Lymphoma can cause rapid, unintentional weight loss, often leading to a loss of at least 10 percent of your body weight. Night sweats — Lymphoma night sweats often leave pajamas and bed sheets soaked.
Having a high white blood cell count (15,000 or higher). Having a low lymphocyte count (below 600 or less than 8% of the white blood cell count).
A hematologist-oncologist (an expert in blood cancers) can accurately diagnose lymphoma and recommend lymphoma treatments.
An ultrasound scan (sometimes called a sonogram) uses soundwaves to take pictures inside your body. You might have an ultrasound scan if you have lymphoma, or your doctor suspects you could have lymphoma. This could be to: examine lymph nodes that are near the surface of your skin.
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.
The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system and includes the various lymph glands around the body. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma most commonly occurs in a lymph node but it can also occur in the liver, spleen, stomach or bones.
If Hodgkin lymphoma spreads, it usually spreads first to nearby lymph nodes, and then to the spleen, liver, or bone marrow.
Signs and Symptoms of Bone Marrow Failure
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), also known as myelodysplastic neoplasms, are conditions that can occur when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become abnormal, resulting in the marrow not making enough healthy new blood cells. This leads to low levels of one or more types of blood cells.