Symptoms of Lymphoma

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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The symptoms of lymphoma mostly present as painless enlarged superficial lymph nodes, which are common clinical manifestations. Additionally, there may be enlargement of the liver and spleen, with multiple organs throughout the body possibly affected. In advanced stages, patients may experience invasion of the bone marrow. There are also special types of extranodal lymphomas which exhibit specific symptoms. For instance, lymphomas originating in the stomach may present with upper abdominal masses, or symptoms like anemia, weight loss, black stools, and even upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting related to the gastrointestinal tract. If the lymphoma originates in the nasal cavity, known as NK/T-cell lymphoma, symptoms may include tinnitus, nasal congestion, runny nose, and nosebleeds, among others. Some lymphoma patients may also experience fever, generalized weakness, weight loss, collectively referred to as B symptoms.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Symptoms of Lymphoma

The symptoms of lymphoma mostly present as painless enlarged superficial lymph nodes, which are common clinical manifestations. Additionally, there may be enlargement of the liver and spleen, with multiple organs throughout the body possibly affected. In advanced stages, patients may experience invasion of the bone marrow. There are also special types of extranodal lymphomas which exhibit specific symptoms. For instance, lymphomas originating in the stomach may present with upper abdominal masses, or symptoms like anemia, weight loss, black stools, and even upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting related to the gastrointestinal tract. If the lymphoma originates in the nasal cavity, known as NK/T-cell lymphoma, symptoms may include tinnitus, nasal congestion, runny nose, and nosebleeds, among others. Some lymphoma patients may also experience fever, generalized weakness, weight loss, collectively referred to as B symptoms.

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Written by Wu Xia
Oncology
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Is lymphoma contagious?

Current research has not found lymphoma to have a very clear genetic predisposition or familial clustering. This is entirely different from familial breast cancer and colon cancer. Although there are many causes of lymphoma, and it is likely related to certain bacterial and viral infections, the mechanism of tumor occurrence is very complex. Infection is only one of the external factors, and currently, there is no evidence that lymphoma has tendencies for contagion or outbreaks. Therefore, as a relative of a lymphoma patient, the risk of developing lymphoma is not significantly higher than that of the general population, so there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
Oncology
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How is malignant lymphoma treated?

The common treatments for malignant lymphoma currently include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and the use of immunosuppressants. There are also newer treatments such as cell reinfusion. The choice of treatment for malignant lymphoma definitely depends on the specific pathological type. Another factor is the stage of the lymphoma—it could be in stages one, two, three, or four, which definitely matters. The third factor is whether the lymphoma causes any symptoms or signs in the patient because some minor lymphomas may allow for observation and waiting, but many require active treatment.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Causes of Malignant Lymphoma

The causes of malignant lymphoma are the result of multiple factors. First, it is associated with infections by bacteria or viruses, such as the well-documented chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori, which is closely related to the occurrence of lymphoma associated with the gastric mucosa. Second, immunodeficiency conditions, like in AIDS patients or those who have been taking immunosuppressive drugs for a long period, have a higher likelihood of developing malignant lymphoma compared to the general population. Third, chemical or physical factors, such as environmental carcinogens and electromagnetic radiation, can also lead to malignant lymphoma. Other factors, such as long-term use of certain drugs like phenytoin or pseudoephedrine, and a genetic predisposition, can also be causes of malignant lymphoma.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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How to rule out lymphoma in children

Lymphoma is a malignant tumor originating from the lymphatic system. The main clinical manifestation is painless lymph node enlargement, which can occur in superficial lymph nodes such as in the neck, armpits, or groin, as well as deeper lymph nodes in the mediastinum or abdominal cavity. In pediatric patients with lymphoma, a significant number also present with abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, or intussusception, which often indicates intestinal lymphoma. If children exhibit lymph node enlargement or deep lymph node enlargement is discovered through imaging studies, it is necessary to perform a puncture or biopsy and conduct a pathological examination to further confirm whether it is lymphoma.