"Silent lymphoma" refers to indolent (slow-growing) non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that often presents with no symptoms in its early stages. It is characterized by the slow, often asymptomatic buildup of abnormal white blood cells in lymph nodes, often diagnosed by chance during tests for other conditions.

What are the symptoms of a slow lymphoma?

Some common signs and symptoms of lymphoma include:

• Enlarged lymph nodes (sometimes felt as lumps under the skin, especially in the neck, underarm, or groin area)
• Fever and chills.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue (feeling very tired)
• Swollen abdomen (belly)
• Feeling full after only a small amount of food.
• Chest pain or pressure.

What is lymphoma in a dog?

Lymphoma in dogs is a common cancer of the immune system's white blood cells (lymphocytes) that causes abnormal cell growth, often starting in the lymph nodes but potentially affecting organs like the spleen, liver, or intestines, leading to symptoms such as swollen glands, lethargy, weight loss, increased thirst/urination, and poor appetite, and while not curable, treatment (like chemotherapy) can achieve remission and improve quality of life.
 

What is the biggest indicator of lymphoma?

The biggest and most common sign of lymphoma is painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, often feeling like a lump under the skin, alongside other "B symptoms" like unexplained fever, drenching night sweats, and significant weight loss. While swollen nodes are a key indicator, persistent fatigue, itchy skin, and abdominal issues can also point to lymphoma.

Where does your stomach hurt with lymphoma?

Signs of lymphoma can include: Enlarged lymph node in the neck, shoulder or chest (most common symptom) Enlarged liver or pain on the upper left side of the abdomen.

The Silent Killer: Understanding Intestinal LymphomaIntestinal Lymphoma

What is lazy lymphoma?

Updated: August 8, 2025. Medically Reviewed By: Eric D. Jacobsen, MD. Indolent lymphomas are types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that grow and spread slowly. They account for about 40% of all NHL cases in the United States and generally arise later in life.

What does undiagnosed lymphoma feel like?

Night sweats, persistent fevers and unexplained weight loss are three of the most common lymphoma symptoms. Symptoms can appear with any type of lymphoma, but they're more commonly seen in advanced, fast-growing blood cancers.

Did I cause my dog's lymphoma?

Unfortunately, the cause of lymphoma in dogs is not known. Although several possible causes such as viruses, bacteria, chemical exposure, and physical factors such as strong magnetic fields have been investigated, the cause of this cancer remains obscure.

What is the root cause of lymphoma?

Lymphoma is caused by DNA mutations in lymphocytes (white blood cells) that lead to uncontrolled cell growth, but the exact reason for these mutations isn't fully known, with key risk factors including certain infections (HIV, EBV, Hepatitis C), a weakened immune system (autoimmune diseases, organ transplant meds), age, family history, and exposure to radiation or chemicals like pesticides and benzene. These factors increase the chance of genetic errors that disrupt normal cell function, causing lymphocytes to become cancerous.

What dog breed gets lymphoma?

Several breeds appear to have higher incidences of lymphoma, including boxers, bullmastiffs, basset hounds, Scottish terriers, St. Bernards, Briards, Irish Setters, Rottweilers, bulldogs, and pit bulls. The cause of lymphoma in dogs is not well understood; however, some risk is likely heritable.

What are the red flags for lymphoma?

Late signs and symptoms of lymphoma

As the disease progresses, symptoms may become more severe or widespread: Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Feeling of fullness in the abdomen due to an enlarged liver or spleen. Coughing or shortness of breath, often caused by enlarged lymph nodes in the chest.

Where do you itch with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?

Other common symptoms of NHL include: a rash or itchy skin on the chest, stomach and back.

Is a dry cough a symptom of lymphoma?

What are the common chest symptoms caused by lymphoma? Swollen lymph nodes in the chest can cause symptoms such as: dry cough. shortness of breath.

What medications can cause lymphoma?

Past studies have found a significantly elevated risk of lymphoma in association with use of antibiotics (3–5), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other analgesics (3, 6–8), corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants (3, 6, 9–12), histamine2-receptor antagonists (13, 14), psychotropic drugs (3, 11, 15) ...

Is there a link between lymphoma and diet?

For example, they could interfere with your lymphoma treatment or other medicines. A review of 17 studies of 733,954 people found that eating a lot of organic food was not associated with the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma when compared to low consumption of organic foods.

What makes you more likely to get lymphoma?

Risk factors

• A family history of lymphoma. Having a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with lymphoma may increase your risk of lymphoma.
• A weakened immune system or an autoimmune condition. Having a condition that affects the immune system can increase the risk of lymphoma. ...
• Some infections.

What does lymphoma tired feel like?

Cancer-related fatigue is exhaustion that's at a much higher level than would usually be expected. It can be physical, emotional or mental. You might feel very tired after doing quite little. Fatigue can affect different areas of your life.

What acts like lymphoma but isn't?

Benign etiologies of lymphadenopathy can include infections, autoimmune disorders, drug hypersensitivity reactions, sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis. Rare but benign lymphoproliferative disorders include Kikuchi's disease, Rosai-Dorfman disease, and progressive transformation of germinal centers.

What organs does lymphoma affect first?

Lymphoma usually affects the lymph nodes first, as it's a cancer of the lymphatic system, often starting as a cancerous growth in these small, bean-shaped filters found throughout the neck, armpits, groin, chest, and abdomen. Because lymph nodes are throughout the body, lymphoma can technically start anywhere, but these nodal areas are the most common initial sites, leading to swollen lymph nodes as the first symptom.
 

Does lymphoma affect the bowels?

How might lymphoma affect my bowel? Bowel problems such as diarrhoea, constipation and wind (flatulence) can happen with lymphoma and its treatment for a number of reasons, including: the effects of the lymphoma itself.

What are the symptoms of lymphoma in a woman?

Lymphoma can cause various symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, excessive sweating, fever, rash, weight loss, frequent infections, bleeding, bruising, swollen abdomen, cough, chest pain, headache, nervous system effects, itchy skin lumps, and more, and may differ based on the type of lymphoma and the ...

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