2. Night Sweats: The Silent Alarm
Night sweats, medically known as sleep hyperhidrosis, refer to excessive sweating during the night. For lymphoma patients, these aren’t just a matter of discomfort; they can be drenching and severe, often to the point where individuals need to change their bedclothes.
These night sweats are different from the occasional perspiration that everyone might experience on a hot night or due to a dream. They are one of the hallmark ‘B symptoms’ of lymphoma, along with fever and weight loss.
While night sweats are a common symptom in both Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, their frequency and intensity can vary. In Hodgkin Lymphoma, these sweats are often more profound and are almost always accompanied by other B symptoms.
In contrast, patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma may experience more intermittent and less severe night sweats. Night sweats in lymphoma are believed to be a result of the body’s reaction to cytokines (chemical messengers) released by the cancer cells.
Night sweats are significant from a clinical perspective. For healthcare professionals, the presence of night sweats (along with other B symptoms) can be a critical factor in diagnosing and staging the lymphoma. (2)
