Hematologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Lymphoma self-check: signs to note and when to see a doctor | CION Cancer Clinics
A checklist cannot tell you whether you have lymphoma. Only a biopsy can. It can tell you how soon to see a doctor. A lump in the neck, armpit or groin lasting more than two weeks with no clear cause, especially with drenching night sweats, fevers or weight loss you cannot explain, needs a doctor's examination. Use the groups below to note what you have and for how long. At CION Cancer Clinics, our haematology team plans myeloma and lymphoma care with you, discussed at a tumour board and explained in plain words.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Basudev PokhrelConsultant Haematologist · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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The short answer
Can a checklist tell me if I have lymphoma?
No checklist can tell you that you have lymphoma, or that you do not. What it can do is help you decide how soon to see a doctor. Most swollen glands, fevers and night sweats have ordinary causes such as infections. Lymphoma is found only with a biopsy, a small sample of tissue looked at under a microscope.
What lymphoma is, in one line
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph glands and the white cells that live in them. It often shows up first as a lump in the neck, armpit or groin that does not settle. Sometimes it shows up as tiredness, fever or weight loss with no clear lump at all.
How to use this page
Go through the groups of signs below with a pen, or with the family member who noticed the change. Note how long each sign has been there, whether it is getting worse, and whether it came with an infection. Take those notes to the doctor. A clear timeline helps more than any single symptom, and it saves you repeating the story at every appointment.
This page is a guide for a conversation with a doctor. It is not a diagnosis and cannot replace an examination.
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Stop the checklist and get help today if
You have sudden trouble breathing, swelling of the face or neck that is getting worse, trouble swallowing, confusion, or weakness in the legs with back pain. Go to the nearest emergency department now or call 108. Do not wait to finish reading. Tell the team about any lumps or recent weight loss.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistThe self-check
Which signs should you check for?
Tick what applies, and write down how long it has been there. One tick on its own is common. Several ticks lasting weeks is the pattern to take to a doctor.
Lumps and glands
Feel gently at the sides of the neck, above the collarbones, in the armpits and in the groin.
Tick if the lump
- Has lasted more than two weeks
- Does not hurt and keeps growing
- Feels firm or rubbery, or sits above the collarbone
Whole-body signs
Doctors call these "B symptoms". They matter more when they come together and keep returning.
Tick if you have
- Night sweats that soak your clothes or sheets
- Fevers that come and go with no infection found
- Weight loss without trying
Other signs
These have many causes and are less specific, but note them.
- Itching all over with no rash
- Tiredness that sleep does not fix
- A cough or breathlessness that will not clear
- Fullness in the tummy, or feeling full quickly
Your background
Not causes, but things the doctor will want to know. Note any illness or medicine that lowers immunity, such as HIV or treatment after an organ transplant. Note any earlier lymphoma or blood cancer in you or a close relative.
Reading your answers
What should you do with your ticks?
What you found
A sensible next step
A tender lump that came with a cold, sore throat or tooth problem
Give it two weeks to settle, then see a doctor if it has not
A lump lasting over two weeks with no clear infection
Book a doctor's appointment in the coming days
A growing lump plus night sweats, fever or weight loss
See a doctor this week and ask about a biopsy
Whole-body signs lasting weeks, with no lump
See a doctor soon for an examination and blood tests
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
After the self-check
What will the doctor do next?
Listen and examine
The doctor asks about your ticks and timeline, then feels all the gland areas, the tummy for an enlarged spleen or liver, and the throat. Bring your written notes and any old reports.
Blood tests and imaging
A full blood count and other routine tests, often with an ultrasound of the lump or a chest X-ray. These cannot confirm lymphoma, but they help decide whether a biopsy is needed.
A biopsy if needed
If the lump stays or looks suspicious, a sample is taken. Removing a whole node usually gives the clearest answer. In India the tissue is often tested for TB at the same time.
A haematologist if lymphoma is found
A specialist in blood cancers explains the type, arranges scans to see where it has spread, and plans treatment with you.
Commonly believed
What do people wrongly assume about lymphoma signs?
"It does not hurt, so it cannot be serious."
The opposite is closer to true. Lumps from infection are often sore. A lymphoma lump usually does not hurt at all, which is why people leave it for months. Lack of pain is a reason to get it checked, not a reason to wait.
"My blood test was normal, so it is not lymphoma."
Blood counts are often normal in early lymphoma. A normal report is useful, but it does not rule lymphoma out when a lump keeps growing.
"Night sweats are just the Hyderabad heat."
Sweating on a hot night is normal. Sweats that soak the sheets on cool nights, keep coming back, and come with weight loss or fever are different. Tell a doctor about them.
"Lymphoma only happens to older people."
Some types are more common in later life. Hodgkin lymphoma is also common in teenagers and young adults. Age alone should not stop anyone from getting a lasting lump checked.
Being straight with you
What can this self-check not tell you?
It cannot tell you whether you have lymphoma, what type it might be, or how serious it is. Many people with several ticks turn out to have an infection, TB or another condition. A few people with lymphoma have very few signs at all.
Why ticking nothing does not close the question
If a lump is growing, or you simply feel something is wrong, see a doctor anyway. You know your own body. A checklist is there to prompt a visit, never to talk you out of one.
If you are the son or daughter
Parents often play down a lump or weight loss so as not to worry the family. Sit with them, go through the groups together, and write down the dates. Offer to go to the appointment. If a biopsy is advised, help them get it done rather than waiting to see if the lump goes away.
What happens if a biopsy does show lymphoma
At CION, a haematologist reviews the reports, and the case is discussed at a tumour board where several specialists agree the plan together. You will be told what further tests are needed and why.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about checking for lymphoma
How many symptoms do I need before I worry?
There is no set number. One lump that lasts more than two weeks and has no clear cause is enough to see a doctor. Several signs together, such as a lump with night sweats and weight loss, make seeing a doctor this week more important. Worry less about counting and more about how long signs last.
Can I check my own lymph nodes at home?
You can feel gently for lumps in the neck, above the collarbones, in the armpits and in the groin. Small soft glands are often normal, especially in the groin. Do not keep pressing on a lump every day, as this can make it sore. Note its size against something like a pea or a grape.
Is there a blood test for lymphoma?
No single blood test finds lymphoma. Blood tests help show how your body is coping and can point to other causes. Some results, such as a raised LDH, an enzyme released by active cells, may be noted, but only a biopsy confirms lymphoma.
What is the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
They are two main groups, told apart by how the cells look under a microscope. Early signs overlap a lot, so a checklist cannot separate them. The type matters for treatment, and your haematologist will explain which one it is if a biopsy shows lymphoma.
Could my symptoms be TB instead?
Yes. In India TB of the lymph glands is common and causes lumps, fever, night sweats and weight loss, just like lymphoma. A biopsy of the node tested for both is the way to tell. Try not to start TB medicines before a sample has been taken, unless your doctor has good reason to.
Which doctor should I see first?
Your family doctor or a general physician is the right first step. They examine you, order tests and arrange a biopsy through a surgeon if needed. If lymphoma is found, you will be referred to a haematologist or medical oncologist, a doctor who treats blood cancers.
Can itching really be a sign of lymphoma?
It can, particularly in Hodgkin lymphoma, but it is uncommon. Most itching comes from dry skin, allergies or skin conditions. Itching all over with no rash, lasting weeks and not helped by usual creams, is worth mentioning, especially alongside other signs on this list.
I am scared of the answer. Should I wait?
That fear is very common and understandable. Waiting does not change what the lump is. It only delays knowing. Most lumps turn out to be something ordinary, and if it is lymphoma, many types respond well to treatment. Take someone you trust to the appointment.
Your Haematologist
Meet CION's haematologist. One specialist for your blood report and your plan.
Dr. Basudev Pokhrel reviews blood counts, transfusion needs and blood disorders, and works with the CION tumour board on blood cancers.
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Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. A haematology consultation can be booked at any of these centres through one helpline, and your team will tell you where each test or treatment takes place.
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Sources
- NHS — Swollen glands
- NHS — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- NHS — Hodgkin lymphoma
- Cancer Research UK — Symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
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