B symptoms

Q: Which of the following is not considered a "B" symptom in lymphoma? - Select one

A) Fever

B) Night sweats 

C) Weight loss

D) Pruritus

Answer: D

The criteria for B symptoms is the presence of all of the following symptoms:

• Unexplained fever >38°C during the previous month
• Recurrent drenching night sweats during the previous month
• Weight loss >10 percent of body weight within six months of diagnosis

Less known is that if patients don't meet any of the above-mentioned, then they are categorized as "A."

These patients may have other symptoms such as fatigue, pruritus, pain (mainly when drinking ETOH), or any other symptoms, but are not considered B symptoms.

#oncology

References:

1. Shadman M. Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Mar 21;329(11):918-932. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.1946. PMID: 36943212.

2. Mamgain G, Singh PK, Patra P, Naithani M, Nath UK. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and new insights into its pathobiology and implication in treatment. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Aug;11(8):4151-4158. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2432_21. Epub 2022 Aug 30. PMID: 36353039; PMCID: PMC9638643.

3. Dehghani M, Haddadi S, Vojdani R. Signs, Symptoms and Complications of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma According to Grade and Stage in South Iran. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2015;16(8):3551-7. doi: 10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.8.3551. PMID: 25921177.