The University of Maryland Medical Center describes lymphomas as cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system includes the spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes, which are tissues and organs that produce, store and carry white blood cells. The two most common forms of lymphoma are Hodgkins and Non-hodgkins, and the effects are the same for each kind. Some of these effects include night sweats, anemia, fatigue and psychological problems.
Night Sweats
Drenching night sweats and unexplained fevers are a common effect or symptom of lymphoma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In some lymphoma patients, sweating at night is the only initial complaint. A study was published in "Cancer" which found that sweating episodes were preceded by a rise in body temperature, or a mild fever. They state that there is increasing clinical evidence that patients with Hodgkins disease often have an instability in the part of the brain, which regulates temperature.
Anemia
Anemia is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to body tissues. "Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management" published a study about managing anemia in lymphoma. They state that anemia is common in cancer, and it is an even greater problem in lymphoma due to inflammatory properties which affect red blood cell production. This study found that 73 percent of lymphoma patients had a low hemoglobin level, or anemia. The effects of anemia can include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness and cognitive problems.
Fatigue
Fatigue symptoms are common in lymphomas. The "European Journal of Cancer" did a study on the prevalence of fatigue in long-term Hodgkin's survivors. They found that fatigue levels are high in lymphoma patients, even after years of treatment.
Psychological Effects
The "British Medical Journal" published an article about the psychological problems in diagnosed and treated lymphoma patients. They found that psychiatric morbidity was greater in the first three months of diagnosis, but new episodes of anxiety and depression developed throughout the follow-up year. After a year had passed after treatment, the most common complaints were loss of energy, loss of libido, irritability, poor concentration and memory impairment.
Other Effects
Other effects of lymphomas include lymphadenopathy, or painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm or groin, unexplained weight loss and itchy skin.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lymphoma
- "British Medical Journal:" Psychological Problems Associated With Lymphomas
- "Cancer:" Night Sweats in Hodgkins Disease
- "Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management:" Managing Anemia in Lymphoma
- "European Journal of Cancer:" Fatigue in Survivors of Hodgkins Lymphoma
