World Lymphoma Awareness Day is observed every year on 15 September across the globe to raise awareness about cancer of the lymphatic system and educate people about the functioning of lymphatic system, which comprises the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow.
World Lymphoma Day was started in the public interest to spread awareness about lymphoma- an increasingly common form of cancer. This day was initiated in 2002 by the Lymphoma Coalition, with the mission of supporting doctors, patient support groups, patients, and their families by creating awareness and cultivating crucial knowledge on lymphoma symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how to deal with and lead a healthy lifestyle.
What Is Lymphoma?
Lymphoid cells are necessary to the body’s immune system, blocking off infections and foreign invaders. When these cells become cancerous and circulate in the bloodstream, they are referred to as lymphomas. About half of the blood cancers that occur every year are lymphomas or cancers of the lymphatic system [1].
8 Common Symptoms Of Lymphoma
Symptoms of lymphoma often depend on the type of lymphoma, the organs involved, and depending on the adversity of the disease.
Some of the common symptoms of lymphoma are:
1. Swollen Lymph Nodes
The most common clinical hallmark is the development of masses, majorly seen as swollen or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, abdomen, and groin area. These swollen lymph nodes are usually not painful [2].
2. Unexplained Weight Loss
Drastic loss of weight can be a symptom of lymphoma. People with lymphoma can lose over 10% of their body weight within 6 months [3].
3. Abdominal Symptoms
Lymphoma can develop in lymph nodes in the abdomen or in the lymphatic tissue of the liver or spleen.
Symptoms depend on which parts of your body are affected. For example:
-Lymphoma in the stomach can cause gastritis (swelling in the stomach lining), which can cause pain or nausea.
-If lymphoma affects the liver, the tummy will become swollen and the skin and eyes develop a yellow tinge leading to jaundice.
-If lymphoma affects the spleen, a person might feel pain behind their ribs on the left side or might feel full after eating only a little.
4. Easy Bruising and Bleeding
Nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, or a rash of tiny blood spots under the skin can also be a warning sign of lymphoma. Easy bruising or bleeding is related to the lack of healthy platelets which helps in blood clotting.
5. Chest Pressure Or Shortness of Breath
Sometimes lymphomas start in the thymus gland, a part of the immune system located in the chest. If the thymus gland or lymph nodes in the chest swell up, it presses on the airways and lungs and leads to the collection of fluid around the lungs.
Swollen lymph nodes can cause symptoms such as:
-Dry cough
-Noisy breathing
-Pain behind the breastbone
6. Night Sweats
Lymphoma can cause night sweats that make the nightclothes and bedsheets soaking wet. Although it is called night sweats, it can also sometimes happen during the day. The exact reason for night sweats is not known in the case of lymphoma. However, it can happen as part of your body’s reaction to chemicals produced by the lymphoma cells [4].
7. Difficulty Recovering From Infections
An individual with lymphoma has a weak immune system due to the production of cancerous white blood cells instead of healthy ones. This makes the person more prone to infections and also delays recovery time.
8. Persistent and Overwhelming Fatigue
Fatigue is the exhaustion that can be physical, mental, or emotional. An individual might feel drained off after doing little or no work. The exhaustion is mainly due to anemia (lack of red blood cells). People with lymphoma overproduce lymphocytes, therefore, there is less space in the bone marrow to produce other healthy cells, including red blood cells.
If any individual notices any of the symptoms listed or experiences any change in the body that is not normal, contact a healthcare provider immediately. Sometimes the symptoms faced might not be due to lymphoma. But if it is, the earlier the treatment starts, the higher the chances are of success.
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(The article is written by Simran Suri, Assistant Team Lead, and reviewed by Monalisa Deka, Senior Health Content Editor)
References
1. Lymphomas. American Society Of Hematology. [Updated 2023]
Available From:https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-cancers/lymphoma#:~:text=About%20half%20of%20the%20blood,body%20and%20produces%20immune%20cells.
2. Signs and Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. American Cancer Society. [Updated 2018]
Available From:https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
3. Jamil A, Mukkamalla SKR.Lymphoma. National Library of Medicine (NLM). [Updated 2023]
Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560826/
4. Symptoms Of Lymphoma. Lymphoma Action. [Updated: 2021]
Available from: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/symptoms-of-lymphoma