Lymphoma FAQs

The most common symptom of lymphoma is a painless swelling or lump in the neck, armpit or groin. This is caused by lymphoma cells building up in the lymph nodes, which makes them bigger. 

Some people have other symptoms, depending on where the lymphoma is in their body. Or they may have whole body symptoms such as: 

• heavy drenching night sweats
• unexplained high temperatures
• unexplained weight loss
• tiredness 
• itching all over the body that does not go away.

The most common symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node. This feels like a painless swelling or lump, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.

Lymph nodes are part of the system that helps protect your body from infection and disease. When the lymph nodes are fighting infection, they often swell and become sore to touch. If there is cancer in the lymph nodes, they may swell, but are usually painless.

Lymphoma is not the only cause of swollen lymph nodes. But if you notice a painless, swollen lymph node, it is important to get it checked by your GP. We have tips for talking to a healthcare professional in our information about signs and symptoms of cancer. 

Lymphoma can cause itching all over the body that does not go away.

Hot flushes or sweating are a common symptom of natural menopause. But they may also be:

• a symptom of a health condition or illness – for example, feeling hot and flushed can be a sign of an infection
• a symptom of certain types of cancer – for example, night sweats are sometimes a symptom of lymphoma.

The most important test for diagnosing lymphoma is a biopsy. A doctor or nurse removes a small piece of tissue or a sample of cells from the affected area. This is usually an enlarged lymph node. The tissue is examined under a microscope by a doctor called a pathologist. They look for lymphoma cells and do different tests on the cells. Biopsy test results can take up to 2 weeks.

Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the 2 main types of lymphoma. In the UK, around 14,000 people are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma each year. A doctor can find out the type of lymphoma you have by collecting some lymphoma cells and testing them in a laboratory. If the sample contains a type of cell called Reed-Sternberg cells, the lymphoma is usually Hodgkin lymphoma. If there are no Reed-Sternberg cells, it is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Sometimes pressure from swollen lymph nodes may cause pain. For example, it can cause pain in an area such as the tummy (abdomen). But this is not common.

Rarely, and only in Hodgkin lymphoma, a symptom is aching or painful swollen lymph nodes soon after drinking alcohol.

In lymphoma, blood cells called lymphocytes become abnormal. These are the lymphoma cells. Usually, the body’s immune system destroys abnormal cells. But lymphoma cells are often able to avoid the immune system. This means they can keep dividing and grow out of control.

Over time, there are enough lymphoma cells to form a lump. The most common place for this to happen is in the lymph nodes. But lymphoma can start growing in other parts of the body.
Find out more about how lymphoma develops.

Some types of lymphoma grow very slowly and may not need treatment for months or years. Other types grow quickly and need treatment soon after diagnosis. 

Your doctor may use grading to help describe how a lymphoma is likely to grow. Low-grade lymphomas grow very slowly. High-grade lymphomas grow more quickly.

They also use a system called staging to describe the extent of the lymphoma. We have more information about:

• staging of Hodgkin lymphoma
• stage and grade of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Possible side effects depend on the type of treatment you have. If you already know what treatment you are going to have, you can search our treatments & drugs A-Z for more information. We also have information about:

• treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma
• treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

This can depend on the type of treatment you have. 

Some lymphoma chemotherapy drugs will make your hair thinner or you may lose all the hair from your head. You may also lose your eyelashes, eyebrows or other body hair. Any hair loss is almost always temporary and your hair will usually grow back after chemotherapy ends.

Radiotherapy for lymphoma can also cause hair loss but this only happens in the area being treated. For example: 

• radiotherapy to the lymph nodes in your neck may cause you to lose the hair on the back of the neck 
• radiotherapy to the lymph nodes in the chest may make the hair on your chest fall out. 

Some people do not need to start lymphoma treatment straight away. Instead, they have regular tests and appointments to monitor the lymphoma. This is called watch and wait.

Your doctor may suggest watch and wait if:

• you have slow-growing (low-grade) lymphoma and do not have symptoms
• low-grade lymphoma has come back after treatment but is not causing problems.

Your lymphoma doctor should explain the aim of treatments you are offered before you make any treatment decisions. This means whether the treatment is aiming to cure the lymphoma or control it. 

For most people, their first treatment is very effective and gets rid of all signs of the lymphoma. For some people, the lymphoma does not completely respond to treatment and may need further treatment. Some people will have treatments that aim to control the lymphoma and treat any symptoms rather than cure it.

When treatment gets rid of all signs of the lymphoma, this is called complete remission. When lymphoma comes back after treatment, this is called relapse or recurrence.

You might take steroids for a few days during each cycle of chemotherapy for lymphoma.

Possible side effects of steroids include:

• indigestion
• increased appetite and weight gain
• swollen ankles
• having more energy or feeling restless
• changes in your mood
• difficulty sleeping
• skin rash or acne
• increased sugar levels in the blood.

It can be difficult to predict how lymphoma will affect you. Some people carry on working during treatment. Others may decide to stop working. Find out more about support that is available in our information about work and cancer.

If you are worried about money or lymphoma is making it hard to pay the bills, our money advisers can help you find out what benefits you might be entitled to.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a disability benefit. To get PIP, you must have problems with daily living, moving around or both. Being diagnosed with lymphoma does not always make you eligible for PIP.  You will need to be able to show the impact that lymphoma or its treatment has on your day-to-day life to get PIP.

Find out more about benefits and financial support you may be able to claim.