clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is typically disseminated at presentation,
- painless lymphadenopathy - seen in two-thirds of patients presents which is often generalised. (in contrast the lymphadenopathy of Hodgkin's disease is often localised to a single group of nodes) (1).
- visceral lymphadenopathy is common, often resulting in heavy tumour burden but with few symptoms.
- peripheral lymphadenopathy is typically seen in low grade lymphomas (1)
There is more extranodal involvement seen in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and any organ can be the primary site of NHL
- gastrointestinal tract is the most common site out of which stomach is the most frequently implicated part
- NHL is the most common testicular tumour (usually aggressive B-cell tumours) in men older than 60 years (1).
B symptoms indicate an adverse prognosis. B symptoms are:
- weight loss >10%
- night sweats
- pyrexia >38C
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may also present with anaemia, infections or purpura.
Reference: