Symptoms and Diagnosis
Signs (something that can be seen or measured by someone else, such as swollen lymph nodes or fever) and symptoms (something that is felt or noticed by the person experiencing it, such as fatigue or night sweats) of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can vary based on lymphoma type and size, but can also be caused by other conditions, such as infection.1 Investigating any signs and symptoms can help diagnose and stage NHL as well as determine whether they are being caused by another condition.1,2
Signs and symptoms of NHL
Many patients, especially those with follicular lymphoma, marginal zone lymphoma, and slow-growing subtypes, do not show any signs or symptoms of the illness. Others might present with one or more of the following:1,3
B symptoms are a combination of fever, drenching night sweats, and weight loss that occur together.2 However, since these are not specific to lymphoma, a diagnosis of NHL cannot be confirmed based on these signs and symptoms alone.1
How is NHL Diagnosed?
Besides a physical exam and a thorough medical history review, there are a combination of tests that may be utilized to help determine if NHL is present. A lymph node biopsy is the only way to confirm NHL; however, timing of a biopsy will depend on whether any signs or symptoms are caused by other conditions, such as infection.2,4,5 Here are possible exams and tests that may be used to help identify and confirm a diagnosis of NHL:1,5
NHL staging
Once the diagnosis of NHL is confirmed, tests and procedures are performed to identify if cancer has spread within the lymph system or to other parts of the body. This is called staging. Staging can help identify the best course of treatment. It consists of two divisions (limited or advanced) and four stages (I to IV), and tests used in the evaluation of possible NHL can also be used to gather information for it.1 In general terms, stages I and II are limited disease, while stages III and IV are advanced disease. 6 Note that even advanced disease can often be treated successfully and cured.6
References:
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Last Revised February 15, 2024. (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html).
- PDQ Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®): Patient Version. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries. National Cancer Institute. August 22, 2024. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65899/).
Blood Cancer United. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Signs And Symptoms. (https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer/lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma-nhl/signs-and-symptoms)
- Sapkota S, Shaikh H. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. StatPearls. Last updated February 24, 2023. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559328/).
- American Cancer Society. Tests for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Last revised February 15, 2024. (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html).
- Lymphoma Research Foundation. Understanding Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Lymphoid Neoplasms). Last updated May 2024. (https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Non_Hodgkin_Lymphoma_Fact_Sheet_2024.pdf).
Dreyling M, Ghielmini M, Rule S, et al. Newly diagnosed and relapsed follicular lymphoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2021;32:298-308. doi:10.1016/j.annonc.2020.11.008
Blood Cancer United. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) diagnosis. (https://bloodcancerunited.org/blood-cancer/lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/diagnosis).
ALL URLs accessed April 27, 2026
