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Signs and Symptoms of Lymphoma Hair Loss

Lymphoma, also called Hodgkin's lymphoma, is a type of cancer that attacks the immune system. It causes white blood cells to multiply uncontrollably, and eventually collect in a lymph node and form a tumor. Signs and symptoms of lymphoma hair loss can vary dramatically from person to person, and be the result of a variety of issues.

  1. Patchy Hair Loss

    • This type of hair loss is generally a symptom of the lymphoma itself. It is usually accompanied by swelling of the nodes behind the base of the ear. At this point in time, it is unlikely that the swelling will be painful. However, you will notice thinning or balding patches on the skull.

    High-Volume Hair Loss

    • Experienced in conjunction with lymphoma, high-volume hair loss tends to be a symptom not of the lymphoma itself, but of the chemotherapeutic treatments. This hair loss can be total, but it is reversible. You will likely also experience nausea, fatigue, and weight loss, thanks largely to the treatment. However, these issues can also be indications of lymphoma itself.

    Pediatric Hair Loss

    • In children, Hodgkin's lymphoma frequently corresponds with hair loss and swollen lymph nodes. However, this can also be a product of less severe lymph node inflammation and a child's self-inflicted irritation caused by rubbing or playing with the inflamed area. Consult a physician to get the issue treated, and monitor the hair loss and regrowth along with the swelling.

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