What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Now that we know what Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is, let's talk about the signs and symptoms.

One thing I've learned throughout this journey is that no two people experience cancer exactly the same way. Every patient is different, and symptoms can vary from person to person.

According to information provided by Blood Cancer United, there is a difference between signs and symptoms.

A sign is a change that a medical provider observes during an examination or through laboratory testing.

A symptom is a change that the patient can see, feel, or experience themselves.

When a patient begins experiencing signs or symptoms that may suggest Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, they are typically referred to a blood cancer specialist called a hematologist-oncologist.

In our case, David was referred to Dr. Dan Buroker with Mercy Medical Center. Dr. Buroker ordered additional testing and a biopsy to help determine the cause of David's symptoms. These tests were used to determine whether cancer was present, identify the specific type of lymphoma, and rule out other possible diseases.

One of the most common early signs of NHL is painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin.

Less commonly, swollen lymph nodes can appear near the ears, below the jaw, or in the throat near the tonsils.

Sometimes, however, lymphoma begins somewhere other than a lymph node.

In David's case, the enlarged lymph nodes were located deep within his abdomen. Because of this, many of his symptoms appeared to be digestive issues rather than the more recognizable symptoms people often associate with lymphoma.

Additional signs and symptoms can include:

• Unexplained fever
• Drenching night sweats
• Persistent fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Painless swelling in multiple lymph nodes
• Unexplained weight loss, particularly 10% or more of body weight within six months
• Cough or chest pain
• A feeling of fullness or bloating
• Itchy skin
• Enlargement of the spleen or liver
• Rashes or skin lumps

Again, not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and some people may not experience any noticeable symptoms at all.

In fact, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is sometimes discovered during a routine medical examination or while a patient is being evaluated for an entirely unrelated health concern.

Looking back, it's easy to see some of the warning signs David was experiencing. At the time, we thought we were dealing with digestive issues. Cancer was never on our list of possibilities.

That's one of the scary things about lymphoma. Sometimes the symptoms are obvious. Sometimes they're subtle. And sometimes they're hiding behind what appears to be an everyday illness.

Looking back is easy.

Living through it in real time is a completely different story.

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