Many people with Hodgkin lymphoma have few or mild symptoms, so it can be hard to diagnose. The most common symptom is a painless swelling in the neck, under the arm or in the groin. This swelling is caused by enlarged lymph nodes.
Hodgkin lymphoma can cause what are known as “B symptoms”:
- fever with no obvious cause
- lots of sweating, especially at night
- losing weight without trying.
Other symptoms may include ongoing tiredness; rash or itching; unexplained cough; and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be caused by many other conditions, such as the flu or other viruses. Most people with these symptoms do not have Hodgkin lymphoma. However, if you have symptoms without any obvious cause, see your doctor.
→ READ MORE: Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis
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Prof Mark Hertzberg AM, Head, Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital; Dr Puja Bhattacharyya, Haematology Staff Specialist, Western Sydney Local Health District – Blacktown Hospital; A/Prof Susan Carroll, Senior Staff Specialist, Radiation Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital and University of Sydney; Gerry Flanagan, Consumer; Alisha Ganesh, Haematology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Concord Repatriation General Hospital; Kelly King, Cancer Council Liaison, Central Coast Cancer Centre; Ilana Krug, Social Worker – Haematology and Oncology, Gosford Hospital; Amy McGee, Consumer.
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