While lymphoma is more common in older adults and teens/young adults, it can occur at any age, including in babies and very young children, though it's rare in those under 5 years old. Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common cancer in teenagers (15-19), while non-Hodgkin lymphoma can also affect infants, with studies examining lymphoma cases in children as young as infants using birth records.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Risk Factors
Although Hodgkin lymphoma generally doesn't cause a rash, other forms of lymphoma can. For instance, skin lymphoma—a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma—can cause skin irritation. There are various types of skin lymphoma, including T-cell skin lymphoma and B-cell skin lymphoma.
The first signs of lymphoma often include painless, swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck, armpit, or groin, along with persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, drenching night sweats, and intermittent fever. Other early symptoms can involve persistent itching, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or abdominal pain/swelling, but these vary by individual and lymphoma type, so seeing a doctor for persistent symptoms is crucial for proper diagnosis.
The most common symptoms of childhood HL are: swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, chest, abdomen, underarm or groin. swelling of the head, neck, chest, abdomen or arms. breathing problems.
A combination CT scan and PET scan may be used to diagnose lymphoma and help differentiate between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In CT–PET scanning, two types of imaging tests provide information about the body. With a CT scan, X-rays and a computer create three-dimensional, cross-sectional images of the body.
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.
Common signs and symptoms of lymphoma
Celebrities Who Have Battled Leukemia and Lymphoma
Reactive lesions such as Kikuchi lymphadenitis, infectious mononucleosis, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing disease can be misdiagnosed as lymphomas.
Mycosis fungoides is the most common T-cell skin lymphoma. It can start out as patches of dry, sometimes scaly, and itchy skin. These rashes may show up most often on the buttocks or between the waist and shoulders. But they can occur anywhere on the body.
Some basal cell carcinomas may appear as raised, pink or red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps that may bleed after a minor injury. They may have a lower area in their center, and blue, brown, or black areas. Know the signs and symptoms of basal cell carcinoma.
Having a family history of lymphoma does seem to increase your risk of lymphoma. Still, most people with lymphoma don't have a strong family history of it. Gene changes related to NHL are usually acquired (picked up) during life, rather than being inherited.
Although both diseases can be diagnosed at any age, Hodgkin lymphoma is most common in young adults ages 15 to 40 and older adults over age 55. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is typically diagnosed in adults over age 60. Some viruses may make you more likely to get both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Substances
While stress can impact overall health, there is no direct evidence linking stress alone to the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The disease's causes are multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.
Actor and social media influencer Bret Hanna-Shuford died January 3, after being diagnosed in 2025 with a rare form of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. He was 46 years old. Husband Steven R. Hanna announced the news on Instagram.
In December 1993, Jackie was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She announced her diagnosis in January 1994, stating that the initial prognosis was good. She began taking chemotherapy and continued to work at Doubleday, but by May, the cancer was pronounced terminal.
Pages in category "Deaths from non-Hodgkin lymphoma"
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 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.
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.
Key takeaways: 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.
Having lymphoma can also have an impact on your sleep, from concerns or worries going around your mind, the symptoms of lymphoma such as fatigue or night sweats, or the side effects of treatment.
Lymph nodes can swell for a variety of reasons and are considered to be enlarged if they are bigger than 1.5 centimeters in diameter, or slightly larger than a pea. Typically, lymph nodes that are enlarged due to lymphoma are much bigger and can grow to be the size of a grape (or larger).