Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of lymphoma. Many friends have not heard of it, but the incidence of this tumor is very high. Patients with this disease will have different symptoms, which affect the patient's normal life and work. Below I will introduce what is non-Hodgkin's lymphoma? What are the symptoms?

What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a major type of malignant lymphoma. The proportion of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in malignant lymphoma in China is much higher than that of Hodgkin's disease (HD). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is located in the lymphoid cells of the immune system, including lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen and digestive tract. The pathological classification of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is still under discussion. The clinical manifestations of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are superficial lymph node enlargement or nodular masses, deep lymph node masses in the body, and hyperplasia and masses of extranodal lymphoid tissue.

About 10% of HIV-infected patients may develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma; the incidence is 60 times higher than that of non-HIV-infected patients. AIDS patients with long-term infection are at greater risk. Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas are histologically highly malignant progressive β-cell lymphomas, including immunoblastic lymphoma and diffuse small non-cleaved (Burkitt or non-Burkitt) lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with HIV infection is often diffuse at diagnosis, involving extranodal tissues such as the bone marrow and digestive tract, as well as sites invaded by Hodgkin lymphoma not related to HIV infection, such as the central nervous system and body cavities (pleural cavity, pericardium and abdominal cavity).

What are the symptoms?

1. Swollen lymph nodes can cause compression symptoms. For example, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes can compress the trachea and bronchi, causing respiratory obstruction, leading to dyspnea, and even causing superior vena cava obstruction. Pleural effusion may occur if the pleura is invaded, and tumor cells can be found in the puncture fluid. Primary lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity are mostly located in the ileocecal region, which can cause abdominal pain, and even intestinal obstruction and ascites. Lymphoma of the abdominal wall often induces chronic, recurrent intussusception. Invasion of bones can cause bone pain.

2. Symptoms vary depending on the location and spread of the tumor. It usually occurs in the neck, mediastinum, axilla and mesentery. Common unexplained swelling of the cervical or supraclavicular lymph nodes, painless and non-tender, hard to the touch, and not adhered to each other. The disease progresses rapidly, and the lymph nodes gradually enlarge within 1 to 2 weeks. In the late stage, they often stick together into a huge mass. The local lymph nodes can spread and distribute at the same time as they enlarge. It causes infiltration of lymphatic tissue in the tonsils, adenocarcinomas, sinuses and other parts, and invades the tissues around the lymph nodes or the orbits, breasts, skin and bones.

The above is the author’s summary of what non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is and what its symptoms are. Through the author’s introduction, we have a better understanding of the symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is helpful for future treatment.