bruising, fatigue... can someone have lymphoma a few years before a lymph node swells?

[nancihelp373]

I am trying to put things together and would appreciate some help. Can the symptoms of fatigue and bruising be a sign of lymphoma? My symptoms started a few years before the swollen glands appeared... or at least that I noticed them. Can a person be asymptomatic for a couple of years before a lymph node appears?

[nancihelp373]

Thanks ... blood work is all normal. I am confused a little by the whole thing....
Thank you for your answers and thoughts. I appreciate it !

[Ken_PA]

Hi, normally lymphoma starts in a node, but it doesn't always. So it's possible, but not so likely, that it can start somewhere else (like mucosa of the GI tract). Then it can get into the marrow where it crowds out production of platelets and causes easy bruising. Then it might later be in a node.

So you can get a CBC blood test which is not very expensive and see your platelet count.

But I'd guess that it will instead show elevated white cells - from some immune reaction.

[Mochadelicious]

Fatigue...yes, but bruising I've never heard of.   And yes, you can be asymptomatic before a lymph node appears.  You can be asymptomatic even after a lymph node appears.  "B" symptoms of lymphoma are: weight loss, night sweats and fever.  I've also heard of fatigue and itchy skin.  

Some people experience B symptoms and some do not.  In my case, I had no other symptoms besided a lump.  

Hope this helps.