The first noticeable symptom of lymphoma is often an enlarged lymph node in your neck, underarms, or groin. Most early lymphoma symptoms can mimic those of more common conditions like the flu.

Lymphomas are divided into two main categories: Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common but tends to have a better outlook.

The early symptoms of lymphoma tend to be general. Along with a swollen lymph node, they may include:

  • fever
  • fatigue
  • rashes

Your initial symptoms can depend on factors such as:

  • your type of lymphoma
  • how aggressive your lymphoma is
  • where the cancer starts

Read on to learn more about the most common early symptoms of lymphoma.

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a group of cancers that start in lymphocytes in your lymphatic system. Lymphocytes are three types of white blood cells:

  • B cells
  • T cells
  • natural killer cells

Lymphoma can start almost anywhere in your body, but the main locations it develops in include your:

  • lymph nodes
  • spleen
  • bone marrow
  • adenoids and tonsils
  • thymus
  • digestive tract

Learn more about lymphoma.

The most common initial symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node in your:

  • groin
  • neck
  • armpit

For people with slow-growing lymphoma, swollen lymph nodes may grow and shrink for years. Aggressive lymphoma might cause rapid enlargement of a lymph node.

Lymphoma can develop in different parts of your body. The area where swollen lymph nodes develop depends on where the cancer starts. The lump is often painless, but some people may find that it aches.

Less common initial symptoms of lymphoma can include:

  • rashes
  • increased hypersensitivity reactions to insect bites
  • fatigue
  • itchy skin
  • swollen abdomen
  • fever

Initial symptoms of advanced lymphoma

About 43.5% of Hodgkin’s lymphomas diagnosed in the United States from 2012 to 2021 had reached distant body parts when they were diagnosed. About 50.2% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas diagnosed during this period had also reached distant body parts.

Advanced lymphomas might present with symptoms collectively known as B symptoms. They include:

  • fever without an infection
  • drenching night sweats
  • unintentional weight loss without trying of more than 10% over 6 months

Initial symptoms of gastrointestinal lymphoma

Initial symptoms of gastrointestinal lymphoma might include:

Along with swollen lymph nodes, other potential signs and symptoms of lymphoma include:

Other symptoms may develop depending on where lymphoma starts. Some examples include the following.

LocationPotential symptoms
Skin? itchy, red, or purple lumps or bumps under your skin
Brain? headaches
? trouble thinking
? weakness in certain parts of your body
? personality changes
? seizures
? double vision
? facial numbness
? trouble thinking
Chest? coughing
? trouble breathing
? chest pain or pressure
Abdomen? swelling or pain in your abdomen
? abdominal pain
? nausea
? vomiting

Learn more about the symptoms of lymphoma.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs in about 8,570 people in the United States each year and leads to about 910 deaths. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common, occurring in about 80,620 people and leading to about 20,140 deaths each year.

Risk factors for Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

  • age, in early adulthood or late adulthood
  • male sex
  • family history
  • weakened immune system

Risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:

  • age over 60
  • male sex, but some subtypes are more common in females
  • Caucasian ethnicity, in the United States
  • family history
  • exposure to certain chemicals such as benzene as well as some herbicides and insecticides
  • radiation exposure
  • weakened immune system
  • autoimmune disease
  • some infections, such as human T-cell lymphotropic virus infection or Epstein-Barr infection
  • excess body weight
  • breast implants, which can lead to lymphoma in the ring of scar tissue around the implant

Symptoms of lymphoma are often general, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. Your doctor will likely initially perform a:

  • review of your personal and family medical history
  • review of your symptoms
  • a physical exam to look for characteristic signs such as a swollen lymph node
  • blood tests

If they find a suspicious lymph node, they may order a lymph node biopsy. During this test, part or all of your lymph node is removed for testing.

You may receive other tests as well, such as:

The most common early symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node. This swollen lymph node often occurs in areas such as your groin, underarms, or neck.

Other potential early symptoms of lymphoma often mimic symptoms of the flu or other common illnesses. They may include fever, unintentional weight loss, and fatigue.