If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to cancer. Most of these symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.

Hodgkin’s disease does not usually cause pain. You may feel fine. The only symptom may be a painless swelling of one or more lymph nodes, especially in the neck, the area of the collarbone, the armpit, or groin. The enlarged lymph node may decrease in size without treatment, then grow again. Swollen lymph nodes occur for many reasons and are most frequently due to infections.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

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As the disease progresses, the symptoms that develop are similar to those of many other conditions. The following symptoms may occur:

• Coughing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing - may occur if lymph nodes in the chest are enlarged and press against your trachea (windpipe). The shortness of breath or cough may worsen when lying down.
• Unexplained fever, night sweating, and weight loss
• Persistent fatigue
• Itching or skin rash
• Decreased appetite
• Pain in the lymph nodes after drinking alcohol