Hodgkin's Lymphoma Symptoms, Medical Oncologist Explains

Hodgkin's Lymphoma has many innocuous symptoms that are exhibited differently in all patients. Common symptoms include unexplained weight loss, and itching among other seemingly innocuous symptoms. Surprisingly, most patients with symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes fearing lymphoma, do not have this disease. Dr. Hanson tells us more.

David S. Hanson, MD, FACP: Oftentimes patients are concerned that they may be exhibiting symptoms of Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These symptoms are highly variable. For example, there are patients who will come to medical attention by a swelling gland. They will think that there is possibly an infection or some innocuous reason for that swelling. Their physician will examine them, find that they have an abnormal gland or lymph node and recommend biopsy.

This can be a very frightening experience because a patient will go from having a simple swelling gland to being diagnosed with cancer. The bottom-line is that if you have such a swelling lymph node, it needs to be evaluated by a doctor and finally the majority of patients do not have lymphoma or cancer.

There are patients, however, that will have symptoms of their Hodgkin's disease or lymphoma that come on as a part of their illness and those may be unexplained fevers, sweating at night, unexplained weight loss or even itching.

So, when patients have a constellation of concerning symptoms, oftentimes associated with a swelling gland or lymph node, a rapid evaluation with the physician is required.

David S. Hanson, MD practices oncology and internal medicine in Baton Rouge and Zachary, Louisiana. Dr. Hanson graduated with an MD, 27 years ago.

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