if you have any persistent or worsening symptoms of lymphoma, such as swollen lymph nodes, be sure to see a doctor.
while women and men may experience the same classic symptoms of lymphoma, cancer that affects the lymphatic system, women may experience different symptoms if lymphoma develops in the reproductive organs.
What is lymphoma?
the lymphatic system, which includes the lymph glands, bone marrow, thymus, and spleen, is an important part of the immune system. it distributes lymph fluid throughout your body to help fight infection.
when cells in the lymphatic system become cancerous, these cancers are called lymphomas. the cause of lymphoma is unknown.
lymphoma affects a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. these blood cells help your immune system fight bacteria and viruses that can make you sick.
lymphoma usually starts in your lymph nodes, which are the tubes that track lymph fluid and destroy abnormal cells.
there are two main types of lymphoma:
- HODGKIN LYMPHOMA (HL), ALSO KNOWN AS HODGKIN'S DISEASE (HD), CAUSES ABNORMAL GROWTH OF LYMPHOCYTES BEYOND YOUR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM, USUALLY STARTING WITH YOUR UPPER BODY.
- NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA (NHL), WHICH CAUSES TUMORS TO GROW OUT OF LYMPHOCYTES ANYWHERE IN YOUR BODY.
The difference between these two types of lymphoma is that reed-Sternberg cells, large cells in the lymph fluid, are present only in HD.
Although very rare, according to a rare case report published in 2016, for NHL, tumors may grow in the reproductive organs, most commonly in the cervix or ovaries.
According to another case report published in 2018, only 1.5% of NHL tumors begin in the reproductive organs.
Typical symptoms of lymphoma
both women and men may develop the following typical lymphoma symptoms.
Lymphadenopathy (lymphadenopathy)
lymph nodes or lymphadenopathy are the most common symptoms of lymphoma. groups of these small structures are located in your armpits (axilla), neck (cervical spine), chest, abdomen, and groin (groin).
when you are infected, your lymph nodes become larger and softer in the fight against the infection. when the infection disappears, your lymph nodes return to their normal size.
however, with lymphoma, your lymph nodes will enlarge but will not be as tender or painful as they are when fighting an infection.
Fever
a low-grade fever that is still present, or will soon heal, may be fatigued a symptom of lymphoma rather than a bacterial or viral infection.
Fatigue
while it's not uncommon to feel fatigued due to overactivity or lack of sleep, unexplained fatigue that persists and interferes with your daily activities can be a symptom of lymphoma as well as other cancers and health conditions.
Night sweats
although night sweats are usually caused by the flu or menopause, they are also a symptom of lymphoma. you may be woken up by sweat. you may also sweat profusely during the day, but this is not common.
Unexplained weight loss
if you lose weight suddenly without trying, it can be a symptom of lymphoma and other health conditions.
What are the symptoms of female lymphoma?
A 33-year study looked at the medical records of patients diagnosed with NHL of the female genital tract. Results published in 2014 showed that only 17% of patients developed the classic symptoms described above.
Conversely, women may experience the following symptoms if NHL is in the genital organs.
pelvic pressure or pain
you may develop a lump in the pelvic area. if a lump compresses your nerves or other organs, it can cause pressure or pain in the pelvis or abdomen.
Abnormal uterine bleeding
if the lymphoma begins in your uterus or cervix, you may experience abnormal bleeding during your period, or you may start bleeding again after menopause.
Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
a pelvic mass can cause painful or uncomfortable intercourse.
What to do if you have symptoms of lymphoma
if you have any symptoms of lymphoma, especially if they persist or worsen, see a doctor. the sooner lymphoma is diagnosed and treated, the better the prospects.
your doctor will ask about your symptoms, such as:
- how long have you been
- when you experience them
- their severity
YOUR DOCTOR WILL PERFORM A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION TO CHECK FOR SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES AND OTHER SIGNS. YOUR DOCTOR MAY THEN ORDER A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) SCAN, OR X-RAY TO FURTHER INDICATE AND EVALUATE THESE SIGNS.
the next step in diagnosing lymphoma is a biopsy. your doctor may order the removal of an entire lymph node or a small sample of lymphoid tissue. it will be sent to a laboratory and examined under a microscope.
Lymphoma treatment
if you are diagnosed with lymphoma, treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- the type of lymphoma
- its stage means how far it has progressed in your body
- how fast cancer spreads
for Hodgkin's disease, treatment may include radiation therapy to help destroy cancer cells. chemotherapy drugs can also be prescribed.
For non-Hodgkin's diseases, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be used, as well as biological treatments that target the B cells affected by antibodies. A bone marrow transplant may be performed to help strengthen your immune system.
There is currently no specific treatment for NHL that affects the reproductive organs.
Conclusion:
if you have any persistent or worsening symptoms of lymphoma, such as swollen lymph nodes, be sure to see a doctor.
It's also important to see a doctor if you have pelvic pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding, as most women with genital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma do not have typical NHL symptoms.
while these symptoms are usually caused by a less severe health condition, if you are diagnosed with lymphoma, the sooner you start treatment, the better your results may be.