Lymphoma Symptoms: Recurring fevers, a lump in the neck that won’t heal, or symptoms that persist despite repeated antibiotics may often be associated with infection. In many cases, the cause is actually infection. But if the problem persists even after treatment, it is not right to assume infection and further investigation may be required.
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the body’s lymphatic system. This system is an important part of our immune system. In this, white blood cells called lymphocytes start growing abnormally and get deposited in lymph nodes or other lymphatic tissues. There are mainly two types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Why do lymph nodes swell?
Lymph nodes act like filters in the body and help fight infection. These may swell temporarily during an infection.
But in lymphoma, inflammation occurs because abnormal lymphocytes begin to accumulate in the lymph nodes. Such lumps are usually painless and may grow slowly over time. Lumps near the neck, armpits and thighs are often easily felt.
However, the presence of a lump alone is not a sign of lymphoma. It is important to observe if the lump persists for a longer period of time, increases in size and appears with other symptoms.
fever, night sweats, and weight loss
Lymphoma is not limited to just lumps. Some people may also experience symptoms such as frequent or persistent fever, excessive night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. These are called “B symptoms” in medical terms and can be important in the assessment of lymphoma.
Depending on which part of the body the disease occurs, other symptoms may also occur. For example, if lymph nodes inside the chest are affected, there may be a persistent cough, chest discomfort, or trouble breathing. Fatigue and body itching may also be seen in some cases.
What to do if you do not get relief even after taking antibiotics repeatedly?
Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, not lymphoma. So if a possible infection does not improve after repeated treatments, the doctor should reconsider the diagnosis and not just continue antibiotics.
Investigations may include blood tests and imaging, but lymphoma is usually confirmed with a biopsy of the lymph node. Identifying the type and subtype of lymphoma is very important to decide the right treatment.
Remember, not every lump that persists for a long time is cancer. But if a lump is continuously growing or is accompanied by symptoms like fever, night sweats and weight loss without any reason, then it should not be ignored as an infection. Timely medical advice and investigation can help in reaching the correct diagnosis.