Symptom 3: Fever and Night Sweats
Fever is one of the body’s primary responses to foreign invaders. When our internal systems detect something amiss, our body’s temperature rises to create an environment where pathogens struggle to thrive. Typically, fevers indicate infections, inflammations, or other health conditions. However, the enigma with MZL is the periodic appearance of these fevers without a clear external cause.
Fevers associated with MZL are not the common ones that fade away with a dose of over-the-counter medication. These fevers are persistent, sporadic, and might not be accompanied by other usual symptoms like a runny nose or cough. They appear and vanish, leaving individuals perplexed. Moreover, they often spike in the later parts of the day, sometimes termed as “B symptoms” in medical parlance, especially when they appear alongside weight loss and night sweats.
Drenching night sweats can be particularly distressing. It’s not just about the discomfort of waking up in a pool of sweat but understanding that this isn’t due to an overheated room. These sweats are the body’s internal reactions, perhaps an attempt to expel toxins or an outcome of the body’s fight against lymphoma cells. They can be so excessive that individuals might need to change their nightwear or bed linens.
When fever and night sweats manifest simultaneously, it offers a more significant hint towards MZL. Alone, they might be symptoms of various conditions, but together, especially in the absence of other rational explanations, they weave a narrative. This combo acts as a beacon, illuminating the possibility of an underlying lymphoma. The pairing of these symptoms, especially when coupled with other MZL indicators, can paint a clearer picture for diagnosis. (3)
