Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Lymphomais a cancer of the lymphatic system, with two major types:Hodgkin lymphoma(HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Rashes in HL aren’t very common but can occur as a symptom of the disease or as a side effect of some treatments. Rashes are more likely to occur in NHL, which includes over 50 subtypes, some of which involve the skin.
This article will review the symptoms of rash associated withlymphomaand how lymphoma is diagnosed and treated.
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Common Symptoms of Hodgkin Lymphoma
A rash isn’t often a symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma. However,itching without a rash can be a common symptom. In some cases, the itching may be severe.
Common symptoms of HL include:
Developing a Rash After an HL DiagnosisIf you have been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and develop a rash, report it to your healthcare provider. Make a note of when the rash started and what it looks like.As a rash is not typical for HL, it may have a different cause, such as an infection, medication side effect, allergic reaction, or skin sensitivity to an irritant.
Developing a Rash After an HL Diagnosis
If you have been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and develop a rash, report it to your healthcare provider. Make a note of when the rash started and what it looks like.As a rash is not typical for HL, it may have a different cause, such as an infection, medication side effect, allergic reaction, or skin sensitivity to an irritant.
If you have been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and develop a rash, report it to your healthcare provider. Make a note of when the rash started and what it looks like.
As a rash is not typical for HL, it may have a different cause, such as an infection, medication side effect, allergic reaction, or skin sensitivity to an irritant.
Common Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
The symptoms of NHL may be similar to HL. However, rash and itching are more common in NHL, especially in the subtypes of lymphoma that directly involve the skin. Symptoms of NHL can vary, but common symptoms include:
Types of skin involvement seen incutaneous lymphomascan include:
Since these rash symptoms may be due to many other conditions, it is important that a healthcare provider assesses them.
Why Does Rash or Itching Occur With Lymphoma?
Itchingand rash can occur in individuals with lymphoma for various reasons.
Furthermore, certain types of lymphoma, such as cutaneous lymphomas, directly involve the skin and can cause itching or skin changes as a symptom.
Medications or other therapies used to treat lymphoma may cause a rash as part of their side effects. Some of the treatments that may cause rash include:
Steps to Diagnosing Lymphoma
Diagnosing lymphoma, including cases in which a rash is present, involves several steps to determine an official diagnosis.
The first step is often a visit to a healthcare provider for evaluation of symptoms. During this visit, the healthcare provider will assess for any signs or symptoms and the person’s medical history.If a rash is present, it will be assessed as part of this examination.
In addition to a biopsy, other tests may be ordered to help confirm a diagnosis of lymphoma and assess the full extent of the disease. These tests may include:
Once a diagnosis of lymphoma is determined, additional testing may be performed to determine the specific subtype of lymphoma and its stage, which helps guide treatment decisions.
Treatments to Manage Lymphoma-Related Rashes
Treatment for lymphoma-related rashes depends on the specific type of lymphoma, the stage of the lymphoma, and if the rash is due to the lymphoma, is a side effect of treatment, or stems from another cause.
One treatment may be a topical medication, such as corticosteroid cream or ointment, which can reduce inflammation and itching, from the rash.These medications are applied directly to the affected areas of skin. If rashes are widespread, oral corticosteroids may be needed to treat the rash.
For NHL of the skin, phototherapy (light therapy) may be used as a treatment. This involves exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can help reduce the size of the rash and control symptoms.
Other NHLs of the skin that produce a rash may need systemic therapy, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. These treatments are often given intravenously to attack cancer cells throughout the body.
In some cases, radiation therapy may be used to treat skin changes from lymphoma. This involves directing high-energy beams of radiation at the affected areas of the skin to destroy cancer cells.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
When being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma or NHL, it’s important to be aware of any changes or new symptoms that develop. During treatment, certain instances may require seeking medical advice. Some of these instances include:
Summary
Although lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes, the disease itself or the side effects of treatments may cause rash or itching to the skin. Treating the symptoms may consist of systemic or topical medications or other therapies such as phototherapy.
It is important for someone with worsening or not improving symptoms to see their healthcare provider for assistance in treating them.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Salvo E, Allegra A, Casciaro M, Gangemi S.IL-31, itch and hematological malignancies.Clin Mol Allergy. 2021;19(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12948-021-00148-7Ansell SM.Hodgkin lymphoma: a 2020 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management.American J Hematol. 2020;95(8):978-989. doi:10.1002/ajh.25856Penn Medicine.Rash.Singh R, Shaik S, Negi BS, et al.Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a review.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020;9(4):1834. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1037_19American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.Kremer AE, Mettang T, Weisshaar E.Non-dermatological challenges of chronic itch.Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(2):5610. doi:10.2340/00015555-3345National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Tests for Hodgkin lymphoma.Farrah G, Spruijt O, McCormack C, Buelens O, Lazarakis S, Prince M.A systematic review on the management of pruritus in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.Itch. 2021;6(2):e55. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000055
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Salvo E, Allegra A, Casciaro M, Gangemi S.IL-31, itch and hematological malignancies.Clin Mol Allergy. 2021;19(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12948-021-00148-7Ansell SM.Hodgkin lymphoma: a 2020 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management.American J Hematol. 2020;95(8):978-989. doi:10.1002/ajh.25856Penn Medicine.Rash.Singh R, Shaik S, Negi BS, et al.Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a review.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020;9(4):1834. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1037_19American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.Kremer AE, Mettang T, Weisshaar E.Non-dermatological challenges of chronic itch.Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(2):5610. doi:10.2340/00015555-3345National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Tests for Hodgkin lymphoma.Farrah G, Spruijt O, McCormack C, Buelens O, Lazarakis S, Prince M.A systematic review on the management of pruritus in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.Itch. 2021;6(2):e55. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000055
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Di Salvo E, Allegra A, Casciaro M, Gangemi S.IL-31, itch and hematological malignancies.Clin Mol Allergy. 2021;19(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12948-021-00148-7Ansell SM.Hodgkin lymphoma: a 2020 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management.American J Hematol. 2020;95(8):978-989. doi:10.1002/ajh.25856Penn Medicine.Rash.Singh R, Shaik S, Negi BS, et al.Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a review.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020;9(4):1834. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1037_19American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.Kremer AE, Mettang T, Weisshaar E.Non-dermatological challenges of chronic itch.Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(2):5610. doi:10.2340/00015555-3345National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Tests for Hodgkin lymphoma.Farrah G, Spruijt O, McCormack C, Buelens O, Lazarakis S, Prince M.A systematic review on the management of pruritus in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.Itch. 2021;6(2):e55. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000055
Di Salvo E, Allegra A, Casciaro M, Gangemi S.IL-31, itch and hematological malignancies.Clin Mol Allergy. 2021;19(1):8. doi:10.1186/s12948-021-00148-7
Ansell SM.Hodgkin lymphoma: a 2020 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management.American J Hematol. 2020;95(8):978-989. doi:10.1002/ajh.25856
Penn Medicine.Rash.
Singh R, Shaik S, Negi BS, et al.Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a review.Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020;9(4):1834. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1037_19
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma.
Kremer AE, Mettang T, Weisshaar E.Non-dermatological challenges of chronic itch.Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(2):5610. doi:10.2340/00015555-3345
National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.
American Cancer Society.Tests for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Farrah G, Spruijt O, McCormack C, Buelens O, Lazarakis S, Prince M.A systematic review on the management of pruritus in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.Itch. 2021;6(2):e55. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000055
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