How to make a mid-term diagnosis of lymphoma

In the middle stage of malignant lymphoma, there is usually local spread, that is, the lymphoma may invade two or more lymphatic areas, but it is still confined to the upper or lower side of the diaphragm. The prognosis of malignant lymphoma in the middle stage is worse than that in the early stage, but better than that in the late stage. Active treatment may still lead to cure. In the middle stage of malignant lymphoma, there are local manifestations and some systemic symptoms.

1. Systemic symptoms in the middle stage of malignant lymphoma

(1) Fever: The fever pattern is mostly irregular, ranging between 38 and 39°C for many years. Some patients with mid-stage malignant lymphoma may have continuous high fever or intermittent low fever. A few may have periodic fever.

(2) Weight loss: Most patients with mid-stage malignant lymphoma experience weight loss, with a reduction of more than 10% of their original body weight within 6 months.

(3) Night sweats: sweating at night or after falling asleep.

The mid-term treatment of malignant lymphoma is relatively good. It is crucial to conduct a comprehensive examination and diagnosis, and to discuss and implement a systematic mid-term treatment plan.

2. Intermediate local manifestations of malignant lymphoma

(1) Lymph node enlargement: including superficial and deep lymph nodes, which are characterized by progressive, painless, hard, and movable enlargement of lymph nodes. Superficial lymph nodes are most common in the neck, followed by the axilla and abdominal groove. Deep lymph nodes are most common in the mediastinum and beside the abdominal aorta.

(2) Local compression symptoms caused by swollen lymph nodes: mainly refers to deep lymph nodes, such as enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, which can compress the esophagus and cause dysphagia; compress the superior vena cava and cause superior vena cava syndrome; compress the trachea and cause coughing, chest tightness, dyspnea and cyanosis.