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The presenting signs and symptoms of NHLs vary depending on the sites involved and the extent of disease¹. Lymph node enlargement in the neck and axilla is a common finding and there may be backache due to enlarged para-aortic nodes or abdominal pain due to hepatosplenomegaly². Non-specific signs, such as fever, night sweats and/or weight loss may occur and the presence or absence of these symptoms, known as B-symptoms, is important in disease staging. Approximately 25% of patients present with extranodal involvement, which gives rise to related symptoms^1,2. For example, gastrointestinal lymphoma may present as an acute event such as intestinal obstruction or haemorrhage, and central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma may cause raised intracranial pressure with headache, vomiting and fits. 

References

1. Evans LS, Hancock BW. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Lancet 2003;362:139-46.
2. Neal AJ, Hoskin PJ. Clinical oncology: basic principles and practice. Arnold 2003, 3rd Edition. 

 

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