Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin's lymphoma

The most common symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a swelling in the:

• neck;
• armpit;
• groin.

The swelling is usually painless, although some people find that it aches. Other symptoms may include any of the following:

• drenching and/or frequent sweats, especially at night;
• unexplained high temperatures;
• weight loss;
• tiredness;
• a cough or breathlessness;
• a persistent itch all over the body.

A few people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have abnormal cells in their bone marrow when they are diagnosed. This can lower the number of healthy blood cells in the blood. Low numbers of healthy blood cells can cause the following symptoms:

• breathlessness and tiredness ;
• an increased risk of infection;
• excessive bleeding, such as nosebleeds, very heavy periods in women, or tiny spots of blood under the skin.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your GP.