The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes in the region of the neck, underarm, or groin. Enlarged lymph nodes in children with lymphoma may resemble those of children who have a throat infection involving the lymph nodes. ("Swollen glands" is a term people sometimes use to describe enlarged lymph nodes.)
A pediatrician should be consulted if a lymph node rapidly enlarges or remains persistently enlarged. Initially, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed to treat a possible infection before a more extensive evaluation is performed. If the lymph node remains enlarged and does not respond to treatment with antibiotics or continues to grow despite the use of antibiotics, a surgeon may biopsy the swollen lymph node.
Additional warning signs of lymphoma may include: fever, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, itching of the skin, tiredness, difficulty breathing, pain or sensation of discomfort in the chest, coughing, and/or swelling of the abdomen.
