Hodgkin lymphoma symptoms are typically non-specific and share many characteristics with other illnesses, such as a cold, the flu, other types of respiratory infection and other blood cancers. The early stages of Hodgkin lymphoma may not cause any symptoms.

When symptoms do occur, a common early sign of Hodgkin lymphoma is swelling in one or more lymph nodes, usually in the neck. There are over 500 lymph nodes throughout the body, all connected through a network of lymph vessels. Clusters of lymph nodes can be found in the neck, armpits, groin, abdomen, pelvis and chest. Lymph nodes circulate white blood cells. When the concentration of white blood cells increases as part of the body"s immune response to a virus or infection, the lymph nodes can become swollen. In some cases, the swelling is caused by another condition, like cancer.

Common symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma include:

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarms or groin
• Intermittent fevers
• Drenching night sweats
• Fatigue, or feeling tired all the time
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Feeling of fullness
• Rash or itching

Part of staging Hodgkin lymphoma requires determining whether certain B symptoms are present, which may factor into the overall prognosis and may be signs of more advanced disease. Those B symptoms are:

• Fever
• Drenching night sweats
• Dramatic and unexplained weight loss

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