Lymphatic Cancer (Lymphoma): Symptoms, Types & Understanding

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. Lymphatic cancer generally manifests itself in the lymphatic tissue, which is primarily made up of lymph nodes. These lymph nodes make cells (B and T lymphocytes) that are involved in allowing the immune system to fight off infection. Lymphatic cancer is also known as lymphoma and occurs in two different forms: Hodgkin's lymphoma and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Lymph Nodes

• One of the main symptoms of a lymphoma is painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and groin.

Flu-like Symptoms

• Lymphomas also commonly present with symptoms that resemble the flu, including a fever, night sweats and chills.

Fatigue

• Another common symptom of lymphoma is persistent and chronic fatigue that is otherwise unexplainable.

Other Systemic Symptoms

• Lymphatic cancer can also cause a sudden loss of appetite as well as rapid weight loss.

Diagnosis

• The definitive sign of lymphatic cancer comes from taking a biopsy of a swollen lymph node and finding abnormal or cancerous cells when this tissue sample is viewed under a microscope.