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Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops from lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. It usually leads to swollen lymph nodes, but can also cause muscle pain. While lymphoma itself may cause pain or aching, treatments like chemotherapy can also lead to painful side effects. Muscular lymphoma, for example, accounts for 1.4% of all lymphomas and can cause localised soft tissue swelling, pain and/or B-symptoms. In rare cases, lymphoma that affects the peripheral nervous system can cause muscle twitches and pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lymphoma causing sore muscles | Rare, but possible |
| Muscular lymphoma | |
| Incidence | 1.4% of all lymphomas |
| Symptoms | Localised soft tissue swelling, pain, and/or B-symptoms |
| Common sites | Thigh and upper arm |
| Diagnosis | Ultrasonography, CT, MRI, PET-CT, biopsy |
| Treatment | Chemotherapy, palliative radiotherapy |
| Other types of lymphoma | |
| Symptoms | Swollen lymph nodes, lumps, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, itching, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, cough, trouble breathing, headache, weakness, personality changes, seizures, double vision, facial numbness, trouble speaking |
| Treatment side effects | Pain, including muscle pain, joint pain, nerve pain, stomach pain, chest pain, hip pain, leg pain, back pain |
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What You'll Learn
Lymphoma can cause muscle pain and swelling
The most common symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node or nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. These lumps are often painless but can sometimes ache or cause pain in nearby areas. For example, enlarged lymph nodes in the chest can press on the airways and lungs, causing difficulty breathing. Lymphoma can also cause fluid to collect around the lungs, a condition called pleural effusion.
In addition to swollen lymph nodes, other symptoms of lymphoma can include muscle pain and swelling. Muscular lymphoma, a rare form of the disease, can cause localised soft tissue swelling, pain, and B-symptoms, such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss. The thigh and upper arm are the most common sites of muscular lymphoma, and imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, CT scans, and MRI may be used to evaluate the affected muscles.
Lymphoma treatments, such as chemotherapy, can also cause muscle pain and nerve pain. It is important to note that having one or more symptoms of lymphoma does not necessarily mean that a person has the disease, as these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor for proper testing and diagnosis.
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Swollen lymph nodes can cause muscle pain
Lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. It can cause various symptoms depending on its type and location. The most common symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node or nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. These lumps are often painless but can sometimes ache or cause pain in nearby areas, for example, if they press on a nerve or blood vessel.
Secondly, lymphoma can affect the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord (the peripheral nervous system). This can result in peripheral neuropathy, causing symptoms such as numbness, "pins and needles", pain, increased sensitivity to touch or temperature, and muscle twitches.
Thirdly, lymphoma treatments, such as chemotherapy, can also cause muscle pain. Chemotherapy drugs, such as pegfilgrastim (brand names Neulasta and Udenyca), are known to cause joint and muscle pain in some patients. Additionally, people with lymphoma may have other underlying health conditions, such as diabetes-related nerve damage or arthritis, which can contribute to muscle pain.
It is important to note that swollen lymph nodes are much more often caused by infections than by lymphoma. Lymph nodes that grow in reaction to infection are called reactive or hyperplastic nodes and are typically tender to the touch. However, if you notice a lump that doesn't go away within a few weeks or is rapidly growing, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
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Lymphoma treatments can cause muscle pain
Lymphoma is a cancer that affects the lymphatic system, specifically the lymph nodes, which are part of the immune system. The most common symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node or nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. These lumps are often painless but can sometimes ache or cause pain in nearby areas. For instance, if they are pressing on a nerve or other parts of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, or airways and lungs.
Lymphoma treatments can also cause muscle pain. Chemotherapy, for instance, often reduces white blood cell levels, and while medication like pegfilgrastim (brand names Neulasta and Udenyca) can help boost these levels, it can also be a source of pain. One patient described their experience with the treatment as follows: "Pain from the Neulasta shot is still lingering, and all my joints are aching." Another said: "I had severe leg and back pain and couldn’t move my legs for 30 minutes from Neulasta. I now do Zarxio shots, which cause a little pain but not like Neulasta pain."
Pain can also be a side effect of the lymphoma itself. One patient, for example, reported the following: "I’m in pain today. Why, after five years and clear of tumors, do I have bone pain?" In such cases, chemotherapy may help alleviate the pain. Other medications that can be used to treat pain arising from lymphoma or its treatment include gabapentin, Claritin or Zyrtec, turmeric, arthritis-strength pain relievers, and small doses of opioid medication. Medical marijuana and CBD can also help, and are legal in many places.
It is important to note that lymphoma treatments have improved significantly in recent years, and many patients experience relief from pain and other symptoms. For instance, one patient who finished chemotherapy treatments reported, "I got some relief from my back pain after the first cycle and complete relief after the second cycle." In another case, a patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the right lower extremity experienced evident relief from pain and swelling in the right extremity after undergoing four cycles of chemotherapy.
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Hodgkin lymphoma can cause muscle pain after drinking alcohol
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. The most common symptom of lymphoma is swollen lymph nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. These lumps are often painless but can sometimes cause pain, especially if they are pressing on a nerve or growing rapidly.
While it is uncommon, lymphoma can cause muscle pain, especially after drinking alcohol. This is more typical of Hodgkin lymphoma, a specific type of lymphoma. In some cases, patients with Hodgkin lymphoma have reported experiencing muscle pain, particularly in the back, after consuming alcohol. This pain may be related to vasodilation within the lymph node capsule following exposure to ethanol.
For example, a 31-year-old man presented with severe chest pain that began minutes after ingesting a small amount of alcohol. He had been experiencing this reaction for the previous three months. The pain was relieved with low doses of ibuprofen. Imaging revealed a perihilar mass in the right lung, and a biopsy confirmed the presence of Hodgkin lymphoma. After undergoing treatment for cancer, the patient's alcohol-related chest pain resolved.
Another patient reported back pain that began immediately after drinking alcohol. This patient also noticed a mass in the anterior clavicular region and experienced fevers, chills, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss. A biopsy of an enlarged lymph node showed the presence of large abnormal cells, leading to a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.
It is important to note that muscle pain after drinking alcohol can have various causes and is not always indicative of Hodgkin lymphoma. However, if you experience persistent or severe muscle pain after consuming alcohol, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
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Lymphoma can cause nerve pain, which may lead to muscle pain
In some cases, lymphoma can also cause muscle pain through the enlargement of lymph nodes, which may press on nearby tissues and muscles, leading to pain in those areas. This compression of tissues and muscles can also cause lymphoedema, or swelling, in the affected areas. Lymphomas that start or grow in the abdomen, for example, can cause swelling or pain due to the enlargement of lymph nodes or organs, such as the spleen or liver. This enlargement can put pressure on the stomach, leading to a loss of appetite and a feeling of fullness.
Additionally, lymphoma treatments, such as chemotherapy, can cause nerve and muscle pain as side effects. For instance, pain has been associated with the medication pegfilgrastim, which is used to boost white blood cell levels during chemotherapy. It is important to note that pain related to nerve damage may persist even after the completion of treatment.
While lymphoma can be a cause of muscle pain, it is important to remember that muscle pain can have various other causes and is not always indicative of lymphoma. Other symptoms of lymphoma include fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, and persistent itching without a rash. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or have concerns about muscle pain, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, lymphoma can cause sore muscles. Lymphoma that affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord (the peripheral nervous system) can cause peripheral neuropathy, which can lead to muscle twitches and pain. Muscular lymphoma, which accounts for 1.4% of all lymphomas, can cause localised soft tissue swelling, pain, and B-symptoms.
The most common symptom of lymphoma is a swollen lymph node or nodes, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by lymphoma that affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms depend on which group of nerves is affected and can include numbness, "pins and needles", pain, increased sensitivity to touch or temperature, and muscle twitches.
Lymphoma is typically diagnosed through imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Yes, lymphoma treatments, such as chemotherapy, can have side effects that include muscle pain. Additionally, people with lymphoma may have other underlying health conditions, such as diabetes-related nerve damage or arthritis, that can contribute to muscle pain.
