--- title: "Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — swollen glands, B symptoms, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/lymphoma/ robots: noindex --- # Lymphoma: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma — swollen glands, B symptoms, diagnosis, and NHS treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is lymphoma? Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system — Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are the two main groups. Common sign is persistent painless swollen lymph nodes in neck, armpits, or groin — especially if over 2 weeks without infection cause. B symptoms — drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss over 10%, fever — suggest more aggressive disease. Diagnosis needs lymph node biopsy — not just blood tests. Most Hodgkin lymphoma is curable; NHL outcomes vary by subtype. See a GP for lump lasting over 2 weeks or B symptoms. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Lymphoma, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 7 sections ## Key facts about lymphoma - About 14,000 new lymphoma cases in the UK each year — one of the commonest cancers in young adults (Hodgkin). - Hodgkin lymphoma — Reed-Sternberg cells on biopsy — highly curable with chemo ± radiotherapy. - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma — many subtypes — diffuse large B-cell most common aggressive NHL. - Painless persistent lymph node over 2 weeks without obvious infection needs biopsy — NICE 2-week wait. - Many lymphomas are curable or controllable long term — depends on type and stage. ## Lymphoma — cancer of lymphocytes **Lymphoma** is **malignancy of lymphocytes** in **lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and other organs** — **two main families**: **Hodgkin** and **non-Hodgkin**. **~14,000 UK diagnoses/year** — **Hodgkin peak 20–34** — **many subtypes of NHL**. ## Hodgkin vs non-Hodgkin **Hodgkin lymphoma (HL):** - Reed-Sternberg cells — diagnostic - Contiguous spread — predictable staging - ~85% cure rate — ABVD chemotherapy **Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL):** - No Reed-Sternberg cells - B-cell ~85% , T-cell ~15% - Indolent — follicular — may not treat immediately - Aggressive — diffuse large B-cell — urgent chemo ## When to worry about a gland **Normal reactive node:** - Painful , soft , follows throat/skin infection - Shrinks over 2 weeks **Suspicious:** - Painless , rubbery/firm , >2 cm , progressive - Supraclavicular node — always investigate - Generalised lymphadenopathy See [swollen glands](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/swollen-glands/) for common benign causes — **but persistent painless lump needs biopsy**. ## B symptoms - Night sweats — drenching - Weight loss — >10% in 6 months - Fever — >38°C recurrent **Indicate more aggressive biology** — **affect staging and treatment intensity** ## Staging (Ann Arbor) **Stage I–IV** — **number of node regions and extranodal sites** **PET-CT** — **standard staging** — **Deauville score** tracks treatment response ## Treatment overview | Type | Typical first line | | --- | --- | | Early Hodgkin | ABVD ± involved-site radiotherapy | | Advanced Hodgkin | ABVD or BEACOPP | | DLBCL | R-CHOP | | Follicular (symptomatic) | Chemoimmunotherapy or rituximab | | Relapsed | Salvage chemo + autologous SCT | ## After treatment **Fertility counselling** — ** sperm banking** **Second primary cancers** — **radiotherapy field** — **breast screening earlier in young women treated for Hodgkin** **Fatigue** — **common post-chemo** — **gradual recovery** **Neutropenic fever during treatment** — **emergency** Persistent **neck lump over 2 weeks** — **GP** — **excision biopsy answers** — **most are not lymphoma**, but **don’t assume reactive without assessment**. ## ! When to see a GP about lymphoma See a GP within 2 weeks for a lymph node lump lasting over 2 weeks without clear infection, especially if painless, firm, and growing — or if you have drenching night sweats, unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, or itching all over. Same-day if breathlessness (mediastinal mass), abdominal swelling, or neurological symptoms. GP arranges urgent haematology referral and excision biopsy. ## Common questions about lymphoma What is the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma? Hodgkin lymphoma — Reed-Sternberg cells on histology — bimodal age peaks (young adults and older). Usually curable. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma — diverse group without Reed-Sternberg cells — indolent (slow) or aggressive subtypes — treatment and prognosis vary widely. What are the symptoms of lymphoma? Painless swollen lymph nodes — neck commonest, armpit, groin, chest (cough, breathlessness). B symptoms — night sweats soaking bedding, weight loss over 10% body weight in 6 months, fever over 38°C. Itching, fatigue, alcohol-induced node pain (Hodgkin — rare). Abdominal pain if spleen or liver involved. How is lymphoma diagnosed? Excision biopsy of whole lymph node — gold standard — not fine needle alone for initial diagnosis. CT PET scan for staging. Bone marrow biopsy if indicated. Blood tests — LDH, FBC, HIV and hepatitis screen before treatment. Lumbar puncture in selected high-grade NHL. How is lymphoma treated? Chemotherapy — ABVD for Hodgkin, R-CHOP for diffuse large B-cell NHL (rituximab plus chemo). Radiotherapy to involved sites in early Hodgkin or bulky disease. Immunotherapy — checkpoint inhibitors in relapsed Hodgkin. CAR-T cells for some relapsed aggressive NHL. Watch and wait for indolent NHL if asymptomatic. Can lymphoma come back after treatment? Yes — relapse possible — Hodgkin relapse often still curable with salvage chemo and autologous stem cell transplant. Indolent NHL may relapse multiple times over years — still treatable. Lifelong follow-up with periodic scans and bloods. ## Sources - [NHS — Hodgkin lymphoma](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hodgkin-lymphoma/) - [NHS — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/) - [Lymphoma Action](https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/)