Lymphoma and lung cancer: what to know

Lymphoma begins in lymphocytes, while lung cancer begins in cells of the lung or nearby airways. Lymphoma can form enlarged lymph nodes in the chest or involve lung tissue; lung cancer can form a primary tumour and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort, fatigue, or a [Hoarse Voice](/symptoms/hoarse-voice/) can occur with several conditions, so symptoms cannot identify the cancer type. Imaging, a biopsy, and sometimes genomic tumour profiling help establish the diagnosis and guide treatment.

Arrange medical review for a persistent cough, worsening breathlessness, coughing blood, chest pain, or a voice change. Bring smoking or occupational exposure history, medicines, and prior scans. The team may use chest imaging and tissue sampling, then discuss whether the finding is lymphoma, lung cancer, infection, or another problem. Treatment depends on pathology and spread: options may include systemic therapy, radiotherapy, or surgery such as [Lung Lobectomy](/treatments/surgical-oncology/lung-lobectomy/). [Lung Cancer](/conditions/lung-cancer/) provides related background, while [Genomic Tumour Profiling](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/genomic-tumour-profiling/) explains one type of tumour assessment.

Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, sudden confusion, collapse, or coughing a large amount of blood. Contact your clinical team promptly for new breathlessness, fever, chest pain, inability to keep fluids down, or rapidly worsening weakness. These red flags require assessment regardless of whether the underlying condition is lymphoma or lung cancer.

Ask whether the tissue diagnosis is lymphoma, lung cancer, or another condition; where it started; and whether more sampling or molecular testing is needed. Ask what the scan shows, whether an operation is suitable, how treatment may affect breathing, and whether palliative care can support symptoms alongside cancer treatment.