Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

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Most people eventually diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease see their doctor because they have felt a lump that hasn’t gone away, or they just generally don’t feel well.  This disease affects the glands and vessels that produce fluid through which white blood cells and other components of the immune system travel throughout the body.  It is a cancer that is often prevalent in children.

Symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma include:

• Anemia,
• Fatigue.
• Unexplained fever that is persistent over time
• Drenching night sweats which often necessitate changing of the bed sheets or night clothes
• Unexplained weight loss in excess of 10% of normal body weight 
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Many people with Hodgkin disease may not have any symptoms, and others may have signs and symptoms that appear to be due to a disease other than Hodgkin disease. If you or your child has any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor right away. The sooner an accurate diagnosis is determined, the sooner treatment can be started and the more effective the treatment will be.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may cause many different signs and symptoms, depending on its location in the body, and depending on how early it is detected, can be a very serious form of cancer. 

Symptoms (depending on the cancer’s location in the body) include:

Easily seen or felt lymph nodes close to the surface of the body, including the sides of the neck, in the groin or underarm areas, or above the collar bone

• Swollen abdomen
• The passage of feces may be blocked, which may lead to nausea or vomiting.
• Discomfort or abdominal pain
• Coughing or trouble breathing
• Swelling of the head and arms (due to compressed arteries—seek treatment immediately if you have this symptom)

• Stomach pain, nausea, reduced appetite
• Headache
• Trouble thinking
• Difficulty moving parts of the body

• Personality changes
• Seizures (less likely)
• Itchy red to purple lumps or nodules under the skin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Profuse sweating (enough to soak clothing), particularly at night
• Severe itchiness

If you exhibit any of the above symptoms in conjunction with others for a prolonged period of time, seek medical attention immediately.