Lymphoma Symptoms in Women and Men!

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What are lymphoma symptoms in women and men? Lymphoma is referred to a problem associated with the lymphatic system (a part of the body’s immune system that has crucial function to protect the body from the infection and disease). This lymphatic system includes lymph channels, adenoids, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. 

With other mechanisms in the body, lymphatic system is also involved to create white blood cells that are called lymphocytes (they have important contribution to fight infections from fungi, viruses, or bacteria). Read also lymphoma prognosis and survival rate!

Lymphoma usually occurs if the lymphocytes or lymph-node cells start to multiply too over (uncontrollably) which eventually result malignant cells. These cells are very bad for other tissues, because they have the abnormal capacity to invade/impair other tissues throughout the body. 

What are types of lymphoma?

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (or also familiar known as Hodgkin disease) and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (this type is much more common than Hodgkin’s disease) are two major types of lymphoma, which each type has certain unique/different characteristics of cancer cells -- talk more with a doctor for in-depth information! 

( The lymphatic system - Image credit © to MayoClinic)

The exact causes of both types are still unknown. But many experts believe that there some conditions /factors that can increase the risk of developing lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)

NHL itself has many types of lymphoma. In general, types of NHL are categorized into two major groups: 

1. Nonaggressive NHL, sometimes it is also called as ‘low-grade or indolent lymphoma’. It is more likely to result few symptoms, and more likely to grow & spread slowly. 
2. And aggressive NHL (or also familiar known as ‘intermediate & high-grade lymphoma’). Unlike nonaggressive NHL -- as the name suggests, aggressive NHL tends to generate more symptoms (even severe symptoms), and tends to grow & spread faster. 

Many experts believe that multiple factors or medical conditions may put someone at higher risk of developing NHL. According to a published article on WebMD -- These risk factors may include:

1. Having certain genetic syndromes and inherited immune deficiencies.
2. Having immune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis ‘the most debilitating arthritis’ and Sjögren's syndrome). The treatments of these immune disorders may also increase your risk of having non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
3. Having celiac disease. Read also symptoms of celiac disease!
4. Crohn’s disease (a kind of IBD ‘Inflammatory Bowel Disease’) and some medications /treatments for IBD.
5. If your parents or family members have a history of lymphoma, you may also have higher risk of having the same condition.
6. Having psoriasis.
7. Infections caused by certain viruses or bacteria.

Other risk factors that may also contribute to increase the risk of developing NHL include; (a) chemical exposures, (b) exposure to nuclear radiation, (c) some treatments for cancer (particularly such as chemotherapy), (d) phenytoin (Dilantin) medication, (e) excessive consumption of water with high level of nitrates, and (f) excessive ultraviolet exposure.

Even excessively consumption of alcohol and fat /meat products may also have a link with an increased risk of NHL. Furthermore, though NHL can occur at any age but it is more common in the age of 60 or over -- according to a published article on MayoClinic. More studies are required to confirm these issues!

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

As mentioned before, Hodgkin disease is less common if compared to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

According to the National Lymphoma Network (National Cancer Institute) -- Elderly people (over the age of 50) and young adults (about 15-35 years of age) are the most common groups for Hodgkin disease to occur. And furthermore, this disease is also relatively more common in men than in women.

Other factors that may increase the risk of having Hodgkin disease include:

1. Having a family history of lymphoma.
2. Individuals who have had infectious mononucleosis (infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus) are more likely to get Hodgkin disease than others.
3. Have certain diseases (such as HIV /AIDs) that affect the body’s immune system.

There are also several types of Hodgkin lymphoma. And it’s important to get to know the clearly diagnosis of these types, because each type may need different treatment. And the following are some of these types!

Lymphocyte-predominant

It is rare type of Hodgkin disease. The abnormal cells that cause lymphocyte-predominant are also familiar called as ‘popcorn cells’ due to their appearance. Patients with lymphocyte-predominant are more likely to get a better chance of a cure if the disease is early diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. 

Classical Hodgkin disease

This type may be the most common type of Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients with this type usually have Reed-Sternberg cells (abnormal cells) in their lymph nodes. Classical Hodgkin disease is also divided into several subtypes which include: lymphocyte-rich, lymphocyte-depleted, mixed cellularity, and nodular sclerosis Hodgkin disease.

Lymphoma symptoms in women and men

In general, there is almost no significant difference for the signs of lymphoma in women and men. Some symptoms that appear in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma may also be found in patients with Hodgkin disease.

Symptoms of NHL include:

1. The most common sign is usually a painless swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the groin, underarm, or neck!  
2. Other symptoms may include; back pain /pain in the belly, reddened patches on the patient’s skin, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, cough /trouble breathing/chest pain, abdominal swelling/pain, unexplained fatigue /extreme fatigue, and itchy skin.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma symptoms include;

1. Like in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma -- swollen lymph nodes in the groin, neck, or armpits are usually also the most common sign of Hodgkin’s disease.
2. Other signs that may also occur include; poor appetite, patient may feel pain after drinking alcohol in his/her lymph nodes, weight loss without unknown reason, chills/fever, itchy sensation on the skin, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath (trouble breathing), night sweats, and persistent fatigue. 

*** If you in doubt to your condition, don’t take a conclusion on your own. See a doctor promptly to clearly diagnose the symptoms that you have!

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Reference: WebMD and MayoClinic