Skip to content skip to primary navi skip to secondary navi skip to meta navi search

Symptoms

In most cases the first clinical sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is a rubber-like painless swelling of the lymph nodes. The lymph nodes of the throat are affected most frequently (in approx. 70% of cases) and, more rarely though, the lymph nodes above the collarbone, the lymph nodes in the axilla or in the groin.

One third of Hodgkin lymphoma patients develop a lymph node swelling behind the breastbone (mediastinal lymph nodes), which may disturb breathing and cause a feeling of pressure and continuous coughing.

Abdominal pain, a feeling of pressure or unexplained diarrhea may occur if only single upper or lower abdominal lymph nodes are involved.

In very rare cases, the involved enlarged lymph nodes may be painful after drinking alcoholic beverages, which is a relatively characteristic symptom for Hodgkin lymphoma.

About one third of affected patients present with unspecific, general symptoms like a decrease in general performance, tiredness, weakness and strong itching all over.

Special attention should be paid to the presence or absence of so-called B-symptoms in the case history. B-symptoms are stage-defining factors and therefore directly related to the choice of therapy.

B-symptoms include:

  • Severe night sweats (linen needs to be changed),
  • Unintended weight loss of more than 10% of the total body weight during the last six month,
  • Fever of over 38 degrees Celsius with changing course and unknown origin.

Due to the increase of tumor cells in the lymph nodes, the balance of the immune system is disturbed and weakened. This may lead to an accumulation of bacterial, viral or fungal infections. If the disease has spread outside the lymph nodes to other organs like bones or liver, this can cause further symptoms and complaints. If bones are affected, bone pain and frequent fractures are typical signs. If the bone marrow is infiltrated, this may lead to changes in the blood count. If the liver is affected, it may be enlarged and cause a feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen as well as changes in the blood count (liver and bile values).