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THE FACTS: Lymphoma is the 2nd fastest rising cancer in incidence and death
rates in the United States today.  The cause of lymphoma REMAINS UNKNOWN.
Lymphoma symptoms are often subtle and are easily confused with symptoms
for other disorders.

If you have celiac disease, you must be aware of the symptoms of lymphoma.
Celiac disease has been linked to ALL forms of lymphoma, although most
studies have been done on gastric/intestinal T-cell type Non-Hodgkins (NHL)
lymphomas.  Most lymphomas are diagnosed by ROUTINE tests.  Symptoms of NHL
may appear suddenly or may develop gradually over a long period of time.
Because lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue occur throughout the body,
non-Hodgkin's lymphomas can occur in many places and in many forms, some of
which produce no symptoms at all.

It is difficult to diagnose lymphoma based on external symptoms alone.  If
you, a family member, friend, or loved one has celiac disease, please have
a complete medical evaluation frequently.  Lymphoma usually does NOT show
up on routine blood tests.  The following is a list of textbook symptoms of
lymphoma, a patient may have some, all or NONE of these symptoms.

LYMPH NODE SWELLING, often in the upper body area but it can be in almost
any node or related lymph system organ.  The node is usually NOT painful as
opposed to infected lymph nodes which are common and can be painful.
Swollen nodes may appear in the following areas:

Within the abdomen, where they may or may not be noticed by the patient,
but may cause nausea and vomiting, a feeling of fullness after eating even
small amounts of food, diarrhea, a feeling of constipation, intestinal
blockage, mild or severe back pain, pressure on the bladder, ovaries, or
uterus.

Within the chest, possibly causing shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, coughing, chest pain, pressure under the rib cage, or swelling
of the face, neck veins, or arm.

Within the elbow or knee, most noticeable as a lump that may swell and
recede.

Within bone marrow, causing bone pain, minute fractures, or aberrant blood
values. Rarely, NHL may begin within bone as opposed to marrow.

Within the kidneys, possibly causing headache, high blood pressure,
frequent urination, difficult urination, excessive nighttime urination, or
back or flank pain.

Within the central nervous system, causing headache, vision disturbances,
dizziness, lightheadedness, true spinning vertigo, numbness, tingling, or
cognitive disturbances such as memory loss or confusion.

Within the breast, noticeable as a lump or swelling, or unusual enlargement
of one or both breasts, particularly during pregnancy.

On the skin, manifesting as oozing, scaling, discolored lumps, or unusually
easy bruising. For some of the cutaneous NHLs, these symptoms may regress
and return for years.

Within a testicle, causing swelling.

Within the eye, causing a feeling of pressure or a protrusion of the eye.

Within the liver or spleen, causing aberrations of blood values.

Within the throat, nose, jaw, or upper chest, causing pain, nasal
stuffiness, ear pain, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or difficulty
breathing or swallowing.

In addition, there is a collection of body-wide symptoms that may be
present, such as relentless itching or ongoing fatigue.

The following three symptoms are known as B symptoms or systemic symptoms:

Drenching night sweats of an intensity that requires changing bedsheets in
the middle of the night.

Unexplained loss of more than ten percent of body weight.

Fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38 degrees Centigrade) for more
than one week.

Finally, some adults report an aching of the affected lymph nodes if they
drink alcohol, although this phenomenon appears not to be recognized by
many authorities.

We are leaving on Sunday for the University of Michigan Cancer Center.  My
husband, age 39, has stage IV NHL.   -Kelly USA