Signs and Symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma

You or your child can have Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and feel perfectly well. But Hodgkin lymphoma often causes symptoms or changes that should be checked by a doctor.

Enlarged lymph nodes: the most common symptom

The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is an enlarged lymph node. These are often felt as a lump under the skin, often in the neck, underarm, or groin.

The lump doesn’t usually hurt, but it may become painful after drinking alcohol. The lump might get bigger over time, or new lumps might appear near it or even in other parts of the body.

When swollen lymph nodes might not be Hodgkin lymphoma

Most enlarged lymph nodes, especially in children, are caused by an infection, not lymphoma. Lymph nodes that swell because of infection:

• Are called reactive or hyperplastic nodes
• Often hurt when they're touched
• Go back to normal size after the infection goes away

Other cancers can cause swollen lymph nodes, too. If you have an enlarged lymph node, especially if you haven’t had a recent infection, it’s best to see a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

B symptoms: symptoms that affect staging

Some people with Hodgkin lymphoma have what are known as B symptoms. These are symptoms that can help doctors determine the stage of the cancer and the person's outlook. B symptoms include:

• Fever (which can come and go over several weeks) without an infection
• Drenching night sweats
• Weight loss without trying (at least 10% of your body weight over 6 months)

Other general symptoms

Hodgkin lymphoma can also cause other symptoms that may seem unrelated, such as:

• Itching skin
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
• Loss of appetite

Sometimes the only symptom might be feeling tired all the time.

Symptoms affecting the chest

If Hodgkin lymphoma affects lymph nodes inside your chest, they might press on the windpipe (trachea) and cause:

• Coughing
• Trouble breathing, especially when lying down
• Pain behind the breast bone

When to see a doctor

Having one or more of the symptoms above doesn’t mean you definitely have Hodgkin lymphoma. Many of these symptoms are much more likely to be caused by other problems, like an infection. Still, if you or your child has any of these symptoms, have them checked by a doctor to find out the cause and get treatment if needed.