B cell lymphoma is a type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that are a part of a system that the body uses to fight infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, B cell lymphoma is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In B cell lymphoma, as the body produces an overabundance of lymphocytes, the lymph nodes that contain those cells become swollen with the new cancerous cells.
Masses
As the body produces more and more lymphocytes, people with B cell lymphoma develop enlargement of their lymph nodes. Masses in different parts of the body are some of the most visible symptoms of B cell lymphoma. B cell lymphoma can affect any lymph nodes in the body, but the neck, armpit and groin are the most common areas, according to the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine.
Abdominal pain
As the lymph nodes can appear anywhere, one particularly uncomfortable area is the abdomen. The massive lymph nodes from B cell lymphoma can occur in the abdominal organs or within tissues of the abdomen. When that occurs, pain becomes a prominent symptom of B cell lymphoma, according to the book "Surgery" by Josef Fischer.
Fatigue
As the body works to build more and more of the cancer cells, it draws energy from other vital processes. According to the Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine, fatigue is a common symptom of B cell lymphoma, as the body uses energy to supply the growing lymph nodes.
Fever
The purpose of lymphocytes is to fight infections. The inflammatory response is a large component of that process. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with B cell lymphoma develop fevers as symptoms of their disease. The fevers can be quite high and can also be accompanied by night sweats, as the body builds the inflammatory response.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- "Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine"; Marc Sabatine; 2004
- "Surgery"; Josef Fischer; 2008
