Lymphoma is a relatively common hematologic malignancy, and its incidence has been on the rise in recent years. However, if the symptoms of lymphoma can be detected at an early stage, and diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, the prognosis of patients will be greatly improved. Here are the two main symptoms of lymphoma in the early stages.
Painless lymphadenopathy
Swollen lymph nodes are one of the most common early symptoms of lymphoma. Patients often inadvertently notice swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, etc. These lymph nodes are usually painless, hard, mobile, or adherent into clumps.
For different types of lymphoma, the location of the swollen lymph nodes may vary. For example, Hodgkin lymphoma usually presents with swollen lymph nodes in the neck or supraclavicular bones, while non-Hodgkin lymphoma can present with swollen lymph nodes in multiple parts of the body.
Swollen lymph nodes can also be caused by many other diseases, such as infection, inflammation, etc. However, if lymphadenopathy lasts for a long time without significant pain and tenderness, and is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, etc., a high level of suspicion should be placed on the possibility of lymphoma.
Unexplained fever
People with lymphoma may have fever of unknown origin in the early stages. This fever is usually a persistent low-grade fever, usually around 38°C, but some people may have a high fever.
If fever of unknown origin is present and does not respond to conventional anti-infective therapy, the possibility of lymphoma should be considered.
In addition to the above two main symptoms, there may be some other symptoms in the early stage of lymphoma, such as itchy skin, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc. However, these symptoms are often nonspecific and tend to be overlooked.
When symptoms such as painless lymphadenopathy and unexplained fever appear, you should seek medical attention promptly for a comprehensive examination. The doctor will make a comprehensive diagnosis of whether you have lymphoma. Once lymphoma is diagnosed, you should actively cooperate with your doctor for treatment.
At present, the treatment methods for lymphoma mainly include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, etc. After standardized treatment, many patients with early-stage lymphoma can achieve a better prognosis, and can even achieve clinical cure.