Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. It includes the lymph nodes, lymph glands, thymus gland, spleen, tonsils, and bone marrow. Lymphoma symptoms can occur in these areas as well as other organs of the body. Most of the time, the symptoms are not very specific. Also, the early warning signs of lymphoma are subtle, taking months or years to manifest.

For those at high risk or with a family history of lymphoma, watching out for these early warning signs is recommended.

Early warning signs of lymphoma
Here are the early warning signs of lymphoma:

1. Swollen lymph nodes
One of the common early warning signs of lymphoma is an enlargement of lymph nodes in the groin, neck, and armpit. This happens due to the rapid growth of cancerous cells in these areas. Due to the same reason, the spleen may also become swollen. This can be observed by feeling fullness or a mass growth on the left side of the upper abdomen. The swollen nodes may also feel painful and cause discomfort.

2. Fever/chills
A sign that the immune system is overworking due to lymphoma is the development of fever. The immune system is triggered as the body detects the cancerous cells and tries to fight them off. In addition, one may also experience chills with the body temperature dropping suddenly.

3. Night sweats
Lymphoma can also cause night sweats in some cases. This usually happens when there is a nighttime fever or the body finds it harder to regulate the internal temperature due to the cancerous cells disrupting major functions.

4. Swelling of the abdomen
In some cases, lymphoma may spread to the abdomen. As a result, lymph nodes or organs such as the spleen or liver enlarge. In addition, fluids may also accumulate in these organs. As a result, the stomach may start to swell up. This can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, or nausea.

5. Loss of appetite
Some people with lymphoma may not feel hungry. Sometimes, they may feel full quickly without eating a balanced meal. This happens due to the enlargement of the spleen. It puts pressure on the stomach and causes a lot of discomfort, including a loss of appetite.

6. Persistent, overwhelming fatigue
Another possible early sign of lymphoma is feeling extremely tired throughout the day. The exhaustion is mostly caused by anemia that results from lymphoma. This causes a deficiency of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. The lack of red blood cells is because of the overgrowth of cancerous lymphocytes in the bone marrow, leaving less room for other healthy cells.

7. Easy bruising or bleeding
Lymphoma may affect the production of platelets in the blood vessels. These platelets are important to carry out blood clotting. A smaller number of platelets means a person will tend to bruise or bleed quite easily. Moreover, injuries, cuts, and wounds may take longer to heal.

8. Shortness of breath and coughing
In some cases, lymphomas start in the chest. It specifically begins in the thymus gland, located in the chest. This gland is a part of the immune system. With lymphoma causing swelling of the thymus gland and other lymph nodes in the chest, these may start putting pressure on the trachea. This can lead to constant coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

9. Itchy skin
Lymphoma can also cause persistent and unusual itching. The itchy sensations commonly occur in the hands, feet, and legs. This happens due to the immune system’s overworking and releasing of chemicals known as cytokines. These chemicals irritate the ends of the nerves, leading to an itching sensation. Sometimes, consistent itching can also lead to the development of rashes.

10. Severe or frequent infections
A person becomes highly susceptible to frequent and severe infections when the cancer progresses to advanced stages. This happens due to low white blood cell counts and the spread of cancer cells throughout the body.

When to seek medical help
Early diagnosis is usually difficult in the case of lymphoma since most of the signs and symptoms are often similar to those of other less severe conditions. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately if the following symptoms are experienced:

• There is swelling in the lymph nodes. An unexplained bump or lump forms around the groin, armpits, and side of the neck.
• One experiences frequent or severe infections.
• There are unexplained chills, fevers, or drenching night sweats.
• There is a constant feeling of exhaustion or fatigue.
• One may bruise or bleed easily.
• There is bluish-red swelling in the arms, head, or upper chest.
• One experiences trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
• There is a constant headache.
• Cognitive abilities are affected, and one may struggle to think or speak clearly.
• There might be sudden personality changes.
• One experiences facial numbness.
• There are unexplained lumps and bumps under the skin.

Diagnosis of lymphoma
At present, there are no screening tests to detect lymphoma. However, if a person is experiencing any of the above warning signs and symptoms, detecting lymphoma in the early stages might be possible. For an accurate diagnosis, a doctor may conduct several tests. These include imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, bone scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds. In addition, a doctor may also perform a biopsy by taking a small sample of tissues or fluids from the areas where lumps or bumps can be felt. All of these tests can help with the following:

• Finding the most probable cause for the symptoms
• Determining the extent to which lymphoma has spread
• Monitoring whether a treatment option is effective
• Checking for signs of whether lymphoma has returned after treatment

In addition, a successful diagnosis is possible only when those with risk factors for lymphoma undergo regular medical check-ups. Some of the common risk factors include the following:

• Pre-existing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Sjogren (Sjögren) disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Previous cancer treatments involving chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Organ transplants
• HIV infections
• A family history of lymphoma
• Pre-existing infections such as Epstein-Barr, human T-cell lymphotropic virus, or herpes
• Long-term bacterial infections such as Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, or Chlamydophila psittaci
• Prolonged exposure to certain substances, such as radiation, herbicides, and pesticides

Detecting the condition as soon as possible can help one seek early treatment and manage the symptoms of lymphoma better.