The lymphatic system is mostly known as the disease fighting system in our bodies. Cancer of this particular system is called lymphoma. There are many types of lymphomas that are largely classified into two groups: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin. An example of a kind of lymphoma would be Follicular lymphoma.
This lymphoma is a slow growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that develops when the body makes abnormal B lymphocytes. While some of the risk factors include age, chemical exposure, and autoimmune diseases, there are also many known symptoms of lymphoma. Here are seven well known lymphoma symptoms:

1. Painless swelling of lymph nodes
Painful swelling of the lymph nodes is a very common symptom of lymphoma. Round rubbery lumps can form on areas of the body such as the groin, neck, and armpit, when the lymph nodes have lymphocytes collected in them. Though this is a common symptom of lymphoma, a lump is not always a direct sign of lymphoma.

2. Shortness of breath
In certain individuals there can be swollen lymph nodes in the chest that can cause difficulty or trouble breathing, as well as shortness of breath that may worsen when lying down. This could be caused by the swollen nodes pressing on an individual’s lungs and airway.

3. Unexplained weight loss
During lymphoma, especially rapidly growing lymphoma, so much energy is being used up and this process can cause an individual to lose a significant amount of weight, over a short period of time. Not only is energy used to rid the body of the cancerous cells but the cells themselves also use up the body’s energy. This can cause unexplained weight loss.

4. Fever
Another symptom of lymphoma is a low-grade high temperature that can often be accompanied by chills and other symptoms. Sometimes an individual can suffer from a persistent fever that is only slightly relieved by medication, before returning.

5. Night sweats
Night sweats accompany the previous symptom in most cases because it is the body’s reaction to it. Lymphoma cells produce chemicals that contribute to this particular symptom. This symptom can be severe in some cases, and cause discomfort by wetting an individual’s clothing and bedding.

6. Itchy skin
An individual’s immune system releases a chemical that can cause irritation in the nerves of the skin. This can cause severe itchy skin in some individuals as well as a burning sensation in the skin. This irritation of the skin can sometimes become heightened in warmer weather as well as at night, during bed time.

7. Persistent fatigue
Persistent fatigue is also another common symptom of lymphoma or any cancer for that matter. An individual may feel overwhelmingly tired and exhausted to the point that it affects their normal day to day activities. They often feel drained of their energy completely, and receive little to no relief from rest or sleep.

These are the most common symptoms of lymphoma. Although these are symptoms of this cancer, they do not necessarily mean that an individual has lymphoma. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, you should consult your doctor.