Hodgkin's Lymphoma Symptoms, Medical Oncologist Explains

Hodgkin's Lymphoma has many innocuous symptoms that are exhibited differently in all patients. Common symptoms include unexplained weight loss, and itching among other seemingly innocuous symptoms. Surprisingly, most patients with symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes fearing lymphoma, do not have this disease. Dr. Hanson tells us more.

David S. Hanson, MD, FACP: Oftentimes patients are concerned that they may be exhibiting symptoms of Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These symptoms are highly variable. For example, there are patients who will come to medical attention by a swelling gland. They will think that there is possibly an infection or some innocuous reason for that swelling. Their physician will examine them, find that they have an abnormal gland or lymph node and recommend biopsy.

This can be a very frightening experience because a patient will go from having a simple swelling gland to being diagnosed with cancer. The bottom-line is that if you have such a swelling lymph node, it needs to be evaluated by a doctor and finally the majority of patients do not have lymphoma or cancer.

There are patients, however, that will have symptoms of their Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma that come on as a part of their illness and those may be unexplained fevers, sweating at night, unexplained weight loss or even itching.

So, when patients have a constellation of concerning symptoms, oftentimes associated with a swelling gland or lymph node, a rapid evaluation with the physician is required.

David S. Hanson, MD practices oncology and internal medicine in Baton Rouge and Zachary, Louisiana. Dr. Hanson graduated with an MD, 27 years ago.

This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use the information provided on this site solely at your own risk.  If you have any concerns about your health, please consult with a physician.

[heglenn]

doesn't seem to matter much what symptoms you have you will likely be presumed to be a hypochondriac... I was in and out of doctor's for years with issues but looked at as a healthy young woman. Not until I'd had psoriasis so bad my entire body was covered my rashes in my armpits had come and gone for year going from oily wet and itchy to dry cracked and bleeding unable to lift my arms up in extreme pain with a weird odor. Not until I'd been dubbed a hypochondriac with multiple unexplained white spots on my throat that weren't strep and therefore ended the conversation. Not until my numb feet from running turned into a completely numb body and my anxiety attacks ignored being told to breathe into a paper bag. Basically not until I was on my deathbed with stage 4 cancer a tumor wrapped around and through my spine rendering me unable to walk and my airway 80%blocked did my doctors notice or think anything was wrong.

[nefelibata]

thank you, for this video. typed symptoms into google and thus came up.
have nightsweats like the clothes am wearing become saturated, there are times i could even wring them out, and change a few times a night, thankfully, not every night though.
and fatigue n exhaustion, no matter how long i sleep.
and weight-loss, but am also depressed, so could be that.
the fevers are there too, and think most annoying is the frigging intractable itching on my inner forearms it's driving me mad.

hoping it's something simple, like anaemia, easy enough to treat.

[zerokillz]

how long it takes a hodgkin lymphoma to grow if i ask in term of number of days or weeks?

[desheashawn]

I got a lump on my neck, armpit and groin im panicking doc. Do u think the cancer has spread

[ajitrout]

I hv bilateral submandibular lymphadenopathy. And mild itching too. I'm becoming panic and anxious day by day. Now in India there is a peak of corona. I m helplessss please suggest anybody

[spookily]

My doctor said I don’t have an abnormal gland I’m jsut a hypochondriac and worry I have something even though I have a cold

[pinkxkmk]

help! I my armpits are itchy and swollen and my left inner elbow!

[Markzuckisacuck]

My oncologist said he and my gp “think I have lymphoma” they have tested me for tons of other stuff wtf does that mean?!