When it comes to lymphoma symptoms in men, overall, the cancer has been shown it is not gender specific. There isn’t much that differentiates the way lymphoma affects men from how it affects women, and the symptoms are found to be virtually the same. With that in mind, there are however, slight variations in regards to female-specific physical attributes only.
But lymphoma, as a cancer of varying types, has been found to favor men in terms of higher rates of incidence so that a lymphoma – characterized by the systematic spreading of cancer throughout the lymphatic system – is more commonly found in males. Aside from the higher risk of incidence, there is little that is unique about the symptoms of lymphoma that men experience that would exclude women. Early dectection is critical as lymphoma ranks as the most common blood cancer and third most common childhood cancer.
It is non-Hodgkins lymphoma that is relatively more common in men than in women and symptoms of lymphoma there are several types and on a positive note, it can be curable. Essentially, a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is much more common than Hodgkin’s disease. In the United States, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer among males and the fifth most common among females. Essentially a lymphoma targets the network of vessels and nodes that transport infection-fighting fluid containing white blood cells, via lymphocytes, throughout the body. These weakened cells ultimately affect the immune system that traps and removes harmful bacteria important for fighting off infections. These lymph vessels are connected to small, round masses of tissue known as the lymph nodes where the white blood cells are stored. These groups of nodes are found in the neck, underarms, chest, abdomen, and groin though a lymphoma in men is more often found in the upper body.
Other symptoms of lymphoma in men not only include the painless swelling and/or appearance of lumps in specified areas, but accompany other maladies. There is often a persistent cough, fatigue, or sore throat. But while these symptoms are indicative of lymphoma they can be illustrative of other underlying conditions such as mononucleousis, etc. making a doctor’s diagnosis the only sure fire determination. Perhaps the most striking indication of lymphoma symptoms in men are the night sweats. These frequent or infrequent night sweats can awaken its victim who finds themselves drenched in fluid, soaking the sheets and pajamas despite a normal room temperature. Other symptoms that target men as well as women include intermittent fever, pain in the lower trunk area that can include not only the groin but back pain, consistent weakness and tiredness, rapid loss of weight, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. However, symptoms vary and are characterized by what area of the body is affected, and how rapidly the cancer is spreading.
While the predominate signs of lymphomia symptoms in men are swollen non hodgkin s lymphoma symptoms lymph nodes, other symptoms can manifest such as itchy skin, reddened patches on the skin, shortness of breath, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite. Difficulty breathing, if the cancer affects the thymus gland or lymph nodes in the chest, that puts pressure on the windpipe (trachea) or other airways. Some patients may have abdominal pain or swelling, which may lead to a loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. If the cancer affects cells in the brain, the person may have a headache and other mental problems including seizures.
On the bright side, some lymphomas are highly curable such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, combating the disease with standard chemotherapy and antibody treatments which can be administered without a hospital stay and are only minimally toxic. Other types of lymphomas can be managed effectively for many years with mild treatments but tend to recur repeatedly with traditional therapies.
If a lump is detected and other symptoms persist, a doctor’s visit is crucial. If there is cause for concern, a needle biopsy can be completed, chest x-ray, showing any enlarged lymph nodes of the chest, ultrasound, CAT scan, Gallium scan, PET scan.
The history of a Hodgkin’s lymphoma begins when a lymphocyte (usually a B cell) becomes abnormal. hodgkin s lymphoma symptoms The abnormal cell is referred to as the Reed-Sternberg cell. The Reed-Sternberg cell divides to make copies of itself. The new cells repeatedly divide creating more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don’t die when they should and they don’t protect the body from infections or other diseases. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue causing the growth or tumor.