The pattern of fever in lymphoma

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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Fever symptoms are quite common in patients with lymphoma, which we refer to as B symptoms. The pattern of their fevers is primarily low-grade, occurring more frequently in the afternoon or evening. Unlike ordinary bacterial infections, fevers in these patients do not respond well to anti-inflammatory drugs, but they do respond better to steroid treatment for reducing fever. However, if the lymphoma is not under control, their fever will repeatedly recur. Corresponding cooling treatments can reduce the temperature, but the fever will reoccur repeatedly. Only when the lymphoma and tumor are under control will the fever symptoms start to improve.

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Written by Peng Li Bo
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What are the symptoms of lymphoma?

The symptoms of lymphoma usually involve painless, progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, typically located in areas like the neck, under the jaw, and below the chin. However, beyond these localized symptoms, lymphoma can also present with systemic symptoms, which include fever, night sweats, weight loss, as well as rashes and itching skin. Thus, lymphoma encompasses both local and systemic symptoms.

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Is lymphoma contagious?

Lymphoma is not contagious, as it is not an infectious disease but a tumoral disease. Therefore, it is not contagious, and when seeking medical treatment for lymphoma, patients do not go to the department of infectious diseases. Typically, treatment is conducted in the oncology department or in the hematology department specializing in lymphoma. Thus, lymphoma is not contagious because it is not caused by an infectious pathogen. It is a solid tumor that is tangible and visible.

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Hodgkin's lymphoma symptoms and signs

Actually, whether it is Hodgkin's lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the symptoms and signs are quite similar. In terms of symptoms, because lymphoma mainly occurs as a lesion in the lymph nodes, it is characterized by superficial, localized enlargement of the lymph nodes. Common locations include the neck, then the armpits, and the groin—areas where lymph nodes are more prevalent. It manifests as a local swelling; simply put, you might feel a lump or a tumor on your neck, which is the most common symptom. Additionally, there are other systemic symptoms including fever, weight loss, night sweats, and itchy skin, among others. As for the physical signs, it mainly refers to palpable superficial lymph node enlargement upon examination.

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Which department do you go to for lymphoma?

If a lump is found on the neck and lymphoma is suspected, the first step is to consult with the head and neck surgery department. The lymphoma lesion will be surgically removed by the department, and then sent for a pathological examination. If lymphoma is confirmed, the next steps involve treatment by the oncology department, hematology department, or radiation therapy department.

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How is lymphoma diagnosed?

Most lymphoma patients initially present with painless swelling of superficial lymph nodes. The first examination typically includes an ultrasound of these superficial lymph nodes. If the ultrasound suggests a high probability of malignancy, a lymph node excision biopsy can be performed. A lymph node excision biopsy and subsequent pathological confirmation is the gold standard for diagnosing lymphoma. Furthermore, it is common for lymphoma patients to undergo PET-CT scans, which are used to determine the stage at initial diagnosis and to assess the effectiveness of treatment after therapy.