Lymphoma is the cancer of the lymphatic system in the body. When there are infections or diseases, the lymphatic system acts as the body’s reliable line of defense. Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are the two main types. The common causes and signs of lymphoma depend on the type of cancer acquired. When diagnosed on time, this type of cancer can be treated.

Causes
It is hard to pinpoint a particular factor that causes lymphoma. It is a condition that results from unexplained genetic changes. The following are some risk factors that are linked with the cause of lymphoma.

• People with inherently weak immunity are at risk. This can also be the case with people who suffer from auto-immune diseases or HIV infection. Some of these diseases could be inherited, and other times, it could be from a recent surgery-related condition.
• A family history of lymphoma is another parameter cited as a common risk factor.
• HTLV-1 infection or hepatitis C infection is one of the common viral infections that can increase lymphoma risks.
• Lymphoma is more common in people older than 60 and youngsters between 15 and 40.
• People with glandular fever caused by Epstein-Barr virus also are at risk for lymphoma.

Knowing about the common causes and signs of lymphoma can keep you prepared for seeking medical help, the moment you suspect a possibility of cancerous growth. Here are some early signs to look out for.

Swelling in the lymph nodes
It is one of the signs of lymphoma that you cannot miss. This swelling can be visible in the affected patient’s neck region, and sometimes it is in the groin area or even in the armpit. If you notice a lumpy growth in any of these regions, even if they are painless lumps, you should get them examined by your doctor.

Pruritus
This is another condition that is observed as an early sign in people with lymphoma. This could be due to the failing immune system that leads to excess itchiness. Common triggers like heat can sometimes worsen the condition. Rashes can also accompany this in some cases.

Nighttime sweat
This is also common symptoms in lymphoma patients. If someone wakes up drenched in one’s sweat while sleeping, lymphoma screening would be a good idea. Also, look for the other symptoms, in this case, to be double sure.

Chest-related problems
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can also lead to some chest-related problems. This could show in the form of breathlessness or feeling an unbearable pressure in the chest region. Some patients might experience chest pains or even notice excess coughing. These symptoms result from the growth of the lymph nodes close to the windpipe in the chest region.

People in the high-risk category, in particular, should know about the common causes and signs of lymphoma. This helps the patients to tackle the condition before it makes the immune system fail.