Signs and Symptoms of Skin Lymphoma

Because they start on the skin, lymphomas of the skin can be seen and felt.

Signs and symptoms on the skin

Skin lymphomas can appear as:

• Papules (small, pimple-like lesions)
• Patches (flat, rash-like areas)
• Plaques (thick, raised or lowered lesions, often with distinct edges)
• Nodules or tumors (larger lumps or bumps under the skin)

These areas are often itchy, scaly, and red to purple in color.

People might also have hair loss in areas affected by the lymphoma. Sometimes, larger lesions can break open (ulcerate).

The lymphoma might show up as more than one type of lesion and on different parts of the skin. Skin lymphomas often happen in areas not exposed to the sun.

Some skin lymphomas appear as a rash over some or most of the body (known as erythroderma).

Other possible signs and symptoms of skin lymphoma

Along with skin problems, in rare cases lymphoma of the skin can cause general symptoms, such as:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Excessive sweating (enough to soak clothing), especially at night

Sometimes a skin lymphoma can reach the lymph nodes (small, bean-sized collections of immune cells), which can make them bigger.

An enlarged lymph node might be felt as a lump under the skin in the neck, underarm, or groin area.

If you have symptoms, get them checked

Most of these symptoms are more likely caused by other, less serious conditions. Still, if you have any of them it's important to get checked by a doctor so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

To see examples of skin lymphomas, visit the Skin Cancer Image Gallery.