What Are the First Signs of Lymphoma?

the first signs of lymphoma may include one or more large, swollen lymph nodes felt under the skin; fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, tiredness, and swelling in the abdomen.

Lymphoma is a cancer of cells that are part of the body's immune system called lymphocytes. In lymphoma, lymphocytes become abnormal and grow out of control. These abnormal cells can travel all over the body and often collect in the lymph nodes, causing them to swell. 

Different types of lymphoma include: 

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL, or sometimes just called lymphoma) 
• Childhood Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin disease) 
• Skin lymphomas (cutaneous lymphomas)
• Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia

Some of the first signs of lymphoma may include:

• One or more large, swollen lymph nodes felt under the skin
  • Usually not painful
  • Commonly found in the neck, groin, armpit, or stomach
  • Cough or trouble breathing (from swollen lymph nodes around the lungs)
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats 
• Weight loss 
• Tiredness 
• Swelling in the abdomen 

Other symptoms of lymphoma may include:

• Itching skin
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling full after only a small amount of food
• Chest pain or pressure
• Severe or frequent infections
• Easy bruising or bleeding