Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeneral SymptomsWomen-Specific SymptomsWhy It’s Difficult to DiagnosisWhen to See a DoctorDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
General Symptoms
Women-Specific Symptoms
Why It’s Difficult to Diagnosis
When to See a Doctor
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
“Lymphoma” is a general term used to describe diseases of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system and helps fight infection.There are two categories of lymphoma:Hodgkin’s lymphoma(HL) andnon-Hodgkin’s lymphoma(NHL).
Lymphoma symptoms in women can mimic other gynecologic health conditions and hormonal changes. Although women are slightly less likely to get lymphoma than men, their symptoms may be overlooked. This can delay diagnosis and treatment.
This article will describe the signs of lymphoma and discuss how lymphoma symptoms in women differ from men.
General Symptoms of Lymphoma
Enlarged lymph nodes, calledlymphadenopathy, are a common lymphoma symptom that brings people to a healthcare provider. Other side effects of lymphoma include:
Some of these symptoms are called B symptoms. Oncologists (cancer doctors) use B symptoms to determine the stage and prognosis of certain lymphomas.B symptoms resolve with lymphoma treatment. B symptoms include:
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Noticing a new lump on the neck, collarbone, armpit, or groin area is common in people who have lymphoma. These lumps are usually enlargedlymph nodes. The overproduction of cancerous cells andlymphocytes, a type of white blood cell (WBC), collects in the lymph nodes forming a firm and painless lump.
Some enlarged lymph nodes may be deep in the body, unable to be felt with your fingers. However, if they are large enough, they can push on organs like the stomach or lungs. This can make it difficult to eat or breathe.
You should report any new lumps or bumps to your healthcare provider.
Fever
Having a fever is often a sign of infection. In lymphoma patients, however, fever is considered a B symptom. The exact reason for fevers in people with lymphoma is unknown. One study describes B symptoms like fever as inflammatory responses to cancer cells.Lymphoma fevers not related to infection are known to come and go, are low grade, and cause night sweats.
Keep in mind that although there is an overproduction of WBCs in lymphoma, the cells do not function properly and can result in a weakenedimmune system. Therefore, an infection should always be treated in those with cancer to preventsepsis(severe blood infection).
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common side effect of lymphoma. It can be subtle, or it can be extreme. Fatigue happens because cancerous cells and lymphocytes divide rapidly, leaving little room in the bloodstream and organs for healthy cells to reproduce. A few abnormalities leading to fatigue in lymphoma include:
Let your healthcare provider know should you have worsening fatigue, especially combined with enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and existing fatigue.
Night Sweats
Having night sweats does not mean you have lymphoma. Always have new and unusual symptoms evaluated.
Weight Loss
Although weight loss is usually welcomed, unexpected weight loss in conjunction with other B symptoms can be a sign of lymphoma. A weight loss of at least 10% over a six month period qualifies as a lymphoma B symptom.The following are reasons lymphoma causes weight loss:
Symptoms Specific to Women
Pelvic Pressure
Uterine Bleeding
Gynecologic lymphomas can result in vaginal bleeding and irregularmenstruation. One study found that without B symptoms, women with gynecologic lymphomas were initially thought to have other gynecologic cancers, making diagnosis difficult and time-consuming.
Having regular visits with your gynecologist can help determine what is normal for your body and what may be concerning.
Pain During Sex
One or more pelvic masses, especially if increasing in size, can lead to painful intercourse. Women may also experience abdominal distension (pressure) and bloating with gynecologic lymphomas.These changes may occur over time with slower-growing lymphomas but may happen overnight with aggressive types likediffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Why Is Lymphoma Difficult to Diagnose in Women?
Naturally occurring hormonal changes such aspuberty,pregnancy, andmenopausecan make identifying lymphoma symptoms in women difficult. Enlarged lymph nodes may go unnoticed or unreported. Fatigue is an everyday occurrence for many women and is often considered normal.
Lymphoma night sweats can be misinterpreted ashot flashes. Weight loss can be intended and desired. Pelvic pain, bleeding, and painful sex can be attributed to normal fluctuations in hormone levels based on age.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s essential for women to participate in yearly preventive health screenings. This practice can build a trusting relationship between women and their healthcare providers. Having blood work, imaging, and documented physical exams to compare from visit to visit is valuable, as well. Establishing routine care assists your healthcare provider in identifying and diagnosing new symptoms quicker.
Report any enlarged lymph nodes, B symptoms, or new pain immediately to your healthcare provider.
Since lymphoma has many subtypes, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to receiving proper treatment. Women and men will undergo the same diagnostic testing. Some steps to diagnose lymphoma include:
It may feel frustrating and scary waiting for the test results, but it’s essential to understand your lymphoma before starting treatment.
Treatment for lymphoma in women and men are based on several factors, including:
Although the medications used to treat lymphoma vary based on the above factors, the usual regimen may contain a combination ofchemotherapy,immunotherapy(helps your own immune system fight cancer), steroids, radiation, and surgery.
Women with gynecologic lymphomas may need ahysterectomy(removal of the uterus),bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy(removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes), and removal of tumors from the pelvic area. A surgeon who specializes in gynecology and oncology performs this surgery.
Some people with lymphoma may be matched with aclinical trialin hopes of receiving new and cutting-edge medications. After treatment, some people may need abone marrow transplantorCAR-T therapy(exchanging a patient’s T cells, a type of immune system cell, with manufactured T cells to fight cancer cells) if lymphoma comes back.
Not everyone with lymphoma needs treatment. For example, slow-growing lymphomas causing minimal symptoms may only need to be monitored with blood work, imaging, and physical exams.
Summary
Lymphoma is a general term describing diseases of the lymphatic system. Although men are slightly more likely to get lymphoma, women can have subtle symptoms that make diagnosis more difficult. Gynecologic lymphomas can mimic hormonal changes seen with puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Although treatment of lymphoma is similar for both genders, women may need gynecologic surgeries in addition to systemic cancer treatment. Establishing routine follow-up visits and participating in preventive health screenings can assist healthcare providers in identifying early lymphoma symptoms in women.
A Word From Verywell
Knowing intuitively that something in your body is amiss but not reporting it due to shame, guilt, or worry are common barriers to diagnosing curable illnesses like lymphoma.Finding a healthcare provider you can trust is essential to your health and well-being. Asking friends and family for referrals, looking at online reviews, and speaking with your insurance company representative are ways you can find a trustworthy healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, where immune system cells, called white blood cells, fight infection.In addition to common lymphoma signs such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss, women can experience pelvic fullness, vaginal bleeding, and painful sex.Many types of lymphoma are curable. Hodgkin’s lymphoma, for example, has an 87% five-year survival rate for all patients.Although diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma it is also curable in some circumstances.
Lymphoma starts in the lymphatic system, where immune system cells, called white blood cells, fight infection.
In addition to common lymphoma signs such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss, women can experience pelvic fullness, vaginal bleeding, and painful sex.
Many types of lymphoma are curable. Hodgkin’s lymphoma, for example, has an 87% five-year survival rate for all patients.Although diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma it is also curable in some circumstances.
10 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.Cleveland Clinic.Lymphoma.Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Lymph nodes and cancer.Sharma R, Cunningham D, Smith P, Robertson G, Dent O, Clarke SJ.Inflammatory (B) symptoms are independent predictors of myelosuppression from chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients.BMC Cancer. 2009;9(1):153.doi:10.1186/1471-2407-9-153American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma.Wang J, Zeng L, Chen S, et al.Lymphoma of the female genital tract: a clinicopatholngical analysis of 25 cases.Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(9):5800-5811.Vijayakumar S, Serur E, Bybordi B, Lakhi N.Primary gynecological non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass.Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 2016;18:29-31. doi: org/10.1016/j.gore.2016.10.001Benyamini Y, Todorova I.Women’s reproductive health in sociocultural context.IntJ Behav Med. 2017;24(6):799-802. doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9695-7American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma.
10 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.Cleveland Clinic.Lymphoma.Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Lymph nodes and cancer.Sharma R, Cunningham D, Smith P, Robertson G, Dent O, Clarke SJ.Inflammatory (B) symptoms are independent predictors of myelosuppression from chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients.BMC Cancer. 2009;9(1):153.doi:10.1186/1471-2407-9-153American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma.Wang J, Zeng L, Chen S, et al.Lymphoma of the female genital tract: a clinicopatholngical analysis of 25 cases.Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(9):5800-5811.Vijayakumar S, Serur E, Bybordi B, Lakhi N.Primary gynecological non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass.Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 2016;18:29-31. doi: org/10.1016/j.gore.2016.10.001Benyamini Y, Todorova I.Women’s reproductive health in sociocultural context.IntJ Behav Med. 2017;24(6):799-802. doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9695-7American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma.
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.
Cleveland Clinic.Lymphoma.Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Lymph nodes and cancer.Sharma R, Cunningham D, Smith P, Robertson G, Dent O, Clarke SJ.Inflammatory (B) symptoms are independent predictors of myelosuppression from chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients.BMC Cancer. 2009;9(1):153.doi:10.1186/1471-2407-9-153American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma.Wang J, Zeng L, Chen S, et al.Lymphoma of the female genital tract: a clinicopatholngical analysis of 25 cases.Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(9):5800-5811.Vijayakumar S, Serur E, Bybordi B, Lakhi N.Primary gynecological non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass.Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 2016;18:29-31. doi: org/10.1016/j.gore.2016.10.001Benyamini Y, Todorova I.Women’s reproductive health in sociocultural context.IntJ Behav Med. 2017;24(6):799-802. doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9695-7American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Cleveland Clinic.Lymphoma.
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Lymphoma.
American Cancer Society.Lymph nodes and cancer.
Sharma R, Cunningham D, Smith P, Robertson G, Dent O, Clarke SJ.Inflammatory (B) symptoms are independent predictors of myelosuppression from chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients.BMC Cancer. 2009;9(1):153.doi:10.1186/1471-2407-9-153
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Wang J, Zeng L, Chen S, et al.Lymphoma of the female genital tract: a clinicopatholngical analysis of 25 cases.Am J Transl Res. 2019;11(9):5800-5811.
Vijayakumar S, Serur E, Bybordi B, Lakhi N.Primary gynecological non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass.Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 2016;18:29-31. doi: org/10.1016/j.gore.2016.10.001
Benyamini Y, Todorova I.Women’s reproductive health in sociocultural context.IntJ Behav Med. 2017;24(6):799-802. doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9695-7
American Cancer Society.Key statistics for Hodgkin lymphoma.
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