Lymphoma symptoms in women do not usually differ significantly from the symptoms of lymphoma in men.
Lymphoma typically takes its time developing and very few symptoms may be seen early on.
Here is a list of the common symptoms of lymphoma in women and symptoms of lymphoma in men, as well.
It's important to bear in mind that these lymphoma symptoms might not be lymphoma symptoms at all but symptoms of something else, all together.
That's why it is recommended that you see your physician if you feel any of them.
1. Painless swelling of the Lymph Nodes
This is the symptom most commonly associated with lymphoma and may even be the only one experienced.
It's vital to understand that many various things can trigger enlarged lymph nodes and it does not at all indicate that you have lymphoma!
Usually the lymph nodes in the groin, armpit and neck areas will swell up painlessly.
Humans have 500+ lymph nodes in the body which are basically "forts" of immunity.
When they swell up, this indicates that an immune response has been initiated by the body in reaction to some sort of microscopic invader.
You might find these swollen nodes while taking a shower or performing your daily cleaning routine.
The symptoms outlined most often only indicate a possible lymphoma if they are discovered in addition to swollen lymph nodes.
2. Weight Loss
Typically, sudden weight loss will occur over a period of several months with no good reason.
Weight loss can range from a few pounds to up to 20 or so.
3. Running a Fever
A seemingly causeless fever that keeps returning and is not connected with colds, flus, etc., is a reason to go see your doctor.
Symptoms of lymphoma can be confused with symptoms of other illnesses and, in fact, a lymphoma that causes fever accompanied by lymph node swelling is frequently mistaken for a flu or something similar.
For those individuals affected with a Hodgkins lymphoma, a characteristic kind of fever name Pel-Ebstein fever can occur.
4. Night Sweating
Sweating excessively at night, waking up soaked in sweat, etc.
5. Itchy Skin
Lymphoma cells can secrete certain substance which cause the entire body to be itchy, a condition known as pruritis.
6. Lack of Appetite
People with lymphoma may lose their appetite, which can result in dropping weight.
7. Low Energy
Cancer cells hijack the body's energy resource that would otherwise be utilized by healthy cells, causing a drop in energy levels.
8. Swelling
Lymphoma can afflict any organ and consequently impinge on surrounding veins which limits blood flow and causes swelling and inflammation.
Site-specific lymphomas produce rather widely varying symptoms.
A brain lymphoma, for instance, can produce leg pain whilst a stomach lymphoma may produce stomach aches.
Universal Symptoms of Lymphoma in Women and Universal Symptoms of Lymphoma in Men
The first and most obvious sign of lymphoma is adenopathy, aka lymphadenopathy, which is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes.
This symptom, alone, however, should not be construed as evidence for the presence of a lymphoma.
To make that determination, one needs to undergo a battery of tests.
Lymphoma symptoms can be quite various depending on the kind of lymphoma, its level of progression (metastasis), location, size of tumor, etc.
In the initial stages of a lymphoma, symptoms connected with bone-marrow problems such as anemia (low red blood cell count) are rare, although they often develop later and as a result of the actual treatment.
Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) type lymphoma affects any mucosal area of the body, the most typical being the stomach. Changes in bowel movements and stomach pains may indicate a problem.
Those patients whose stomach lymphomas are connected with the H. Pylori bacterium can see a regression of lymphoma in up to 70% of instances where the H. Pylori is eliminated with antibiotics.
Describing Symptoms To Your Physician Helpfully:
Describe the severity of your complaint on a scale such as "This bothers me about 8 out of 10".
For visible symptoms, describe how long they've been present and whether or not they've undergone any changes since you first noticed them.
When did you first experience these symptoms?
How much time has elapsed since you began experiencing this symptom?
Do the symptoms persist or do they come and go?
Describe any medications or supplements you have used since first observing the symptoms.
Do the symptoms change depending upon time of day, body position, sleep, etc.
Do certain foods trigger the symptoms?
The more descriptive you are, the more accurate your doctor's information and ability to help you will be. It is your job to give them as much good info as possible so that they can help you figure out your options and decide the best steps to take.
Lymphoma typically takes its time developing and very few symptoms may be seen early on.
Here is a list of the common symptoms of lymphoma in women and symptoms of lymphoma in men, as well.
It's important to bear in mind that these lymphoma symptoms might not be lymphoma symptoms at all but symptoms of something else, all together.
That's why it is recommended that you see your physician if you feel any of them.
1. Painless swelling of the Lymph Nodes
This is the symptom most commonly associated with lymphoma and may even be the only one experienced.
It's vital to understand that many various things can trigger enlarged lymph nodes and it does not at all indicate that you have lymphoma!
Usually the lymph nodes in the groin, armpit and neck areas will swell up painlessly.
Humans have 500+ lymph nodes in the body which are basically "forts" of immunity.
When they swell up, this indicates that an immune response has been initiated by the body in reaction to some sort of microscopic invader.
You might find these swollen nodes while taking a shower or performing your daily cleaning routine.
The symptoms outlined most often only indicate a possible lymphoma if they are discovered in addition to swollen lymph nodes.
2. Weight Loss
Typically, sudden weight loss will occur over a period of several months with no good reason.
Weight loss can range from a few pounds to up to 20 or so.
3. Running a Fever
A seemingly causeless fever that keeps returning and is not connected with colds, flus, etc., is a reason to go see your doctor.
Symptoms of lymphoma can be confused with symptoms of other illnesses and, in fact, a lymphoma that causes fever accompanied by lymph node swelling is frequently mistaken for a flu or something similar.
For those individuals affected with a Hodgkins lymphoma, a characteristic kind of fever name Pel-Ebstein fever can occur.
4. Night Sweating
Sweating excessively at night, waking up soaked in sweat, etc.
5. Itchy Skin
Lymphoma cells can secrete certain substance which cause the entire body to be itchy, a condition known as pruritis.
6. Lack of Appetite
People with lymphoma may lose their appetite, which can result in dropping weight.
7. Low Energy
Cancer cells hijack the body's energy resource that would otherwise be utilized by healthy cells, causing a drop in energy levels.
8. Swelling
Lymphoma can afflict any organ and consequently impinge on surrounding veins which limits blood flow and causes swelling and inflammation.
Site-specific lymphomas produce rather widely varying symptoms.
A brain lymphoma, for instance, can produce leg pain whilst a stomach lymphoma may produce stomach aches.
Universal Symptoms of Lymphoma in Women and Universal Symptoms of Lymphoma in Men
The first and most obvious sign of lymphoma is adenopathy, aka lymphadenopathy, which is a painless swelling of the lymph nodes.
This symptom, alone, however, should not be construed as evidence for the presence of a lymphoma.
To make that determination, one needs to undergo a battery of tests.
Lymphoma symptoms can be quite various depending on the kind of lymphoma, its level of progression (metastasis), location, size of tumor, etc.
In the initial stages of a lymphoma, symptoms connected with bone-marrow problems such as anemia (low red blood cell count) are rare, although they often develop later and as a result of the actual treatment.
Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) type lymphoma affects any mucosal area of the body, the most typical being the stomach. Changes in bowel movements and stomach pains may indicate a problem.
Those patients whose stomach lymphomas are connected with the H. Pylori bacterium can see a regression of lymphoma in up to 70% of instances where the H. Pylori is eliminated with antibiotics.
Describing Symptoms To Your Physician Helpfully:
Describe the severity of your complaint on a scale such as "This bothers me about 8 out of 10".
For visible symptoms, describe how long they've been present and whether or not they've undergone any changes since you first noticed them.
When did you first experience these symptoms?
How much time has elapsed since you began experiencing this symptom?
Do the symptoms persist or do they come and go?
Describe any medications or supplements you have used since first observing the symptoms.
Do the symptoms change depending upon time of day, body position, sleep, etc.
Do certain foods trigger the symptoms?
The more descriptive you are, the more accurate your doctor's information and ability to help you will be. It is your job to give them as much good info as possible so that they can help you figure out your options and decide the best steps to take.
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