Follicular lymphoma is a type of slow-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma that originates in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune defense. The symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually, often making early detection challenging. Understanding these symptoms helps in recognizing the disease and seeking timely medical advice.
One of the most common initial signs of follicular lymphoma is **painless swelling of lymph nodes**. These swollen nodes typically appear in areas such as the neck, armpits, or groin. Unlike infections where swollen lymph nodes might be tender or painful, those caused by follicular lymphoma usually do not hurt when touched.
Alongside enlarged lymph nodes, people may experience **unexplained fatigue** that persists over time without an obvious cause like lack of sleep or physical exertion. This tiredness can interfere with daily activities and does not improve simply with rest.
Other systemic symptoms often referred to as “B symptoms” include:
– **Fever:** A persistent or recurring fever without infection.
– **Night sweats:** Soaking sweats during sleep that may require changing clothes or bedding.
– **Unintentional weight loss:** Losing a significant amount of weight (more than 10% over six months) without trying.
These B symptoms indicate that the lymphoma might be more active or widespread but are not always present in every case.
Some individuals may notice additional signs related to how follicular lymphoma affects their body:
– Feeling full quickly after eating small amounts due to an enlarged spleen pressing on the stomach.
– Abdominal discomfort or swelling if lymph nodes inside the abdomen become enlarged.
– Itching (pruritus) without rash can sometimes occur but is less common.
In rare cases where follicular lymphoma transforms into a more aggressive form, new symptoms might emerge suddenly such as rapid growth of lumps, increased pain at affected sites, fevers becoming more severe, and worsening fatigue.
Because follicular lymphoma grows slowly and its early signs overlap with many benign conditions like infections or other causes for swollen glands and fatigue, it’s important for anyone experiencing persistent painless lumps along with systemic changes like night sweats or unexplained weight loss to consult a healthcare provider for evaluation.
The gradual onset means some people live with mild symptoms for months before diagnosis; others discover it incidentally during exams for unrelated issues because they feel generally well despite having enlarged lymph nodes internally.
In summary: painless swollen lymph nodes mainly in neck/armpit/groin areas; ongoing unexplained tiredness; fever; night sweats; unintentional weight loss; abdominal fullness from spleen enlargement—these are key indicators pointing toward possible follicular lymphoma needing medical assessment.
