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What Lymphoma Bone Pain Feels Like and More

Medically reviewed by Fatima Sharif, MBBS, FCPS
Written by Victoria Menard
Updated on January 30, 2025

“I struggle with fatigue and bone pain daily,” shared a MyLymphomaTeam member. If you can relate to that statement, you’re not alone. Several factors may cause bone pain in people with lymphoma, including metastasis (spread of cancer cells to other body parts) to the bones and lymphoma treatments.

If you’re experiencing achiness, sharp pains, or unexpected soreness, you may be wondering, “Exactly what does lymphoma bone pain feel like?” Hearing from others and learning about the various causes of lymphoma bone pain can help you get a better grasp on this common symptom.

How Does Lymphoma Cause Bone Pain?

Sometimes, lymphoma bone pain is caused directly by tumors. Other times, it’s a side effect of lymphoma treatment. It’s also possible to experience bone pain unrelated to lymphoma and caused by a separate issue, like arthritis.

Members of MyLymphomaTeam have often reported lymphoma back pain and lymphoma leg pain. “I’m having a lot of bone pain today. My legs are the worst this morning, and, of course, my back pain,” shared one member.

Bone Metastasis

Bone metastasis happens when cancerous cells metastasize (spread) from their original location into the bones. Although many types of cancer can cause bone metastasis, certain cancers — including lymphoma — are less likely to spread to the bones than other cancers like breast or lung cancer. If cancer cells metastasize to the bones, they usually migrate to the spine. The pelvis, ribs, skull, femur, and humerus bones are other typical sites for bone metastasis.

Bone pain may be the first noticeable sign that lymphoma has metastasized to the bone. Bone pain may fluctuate and get better during exercise, or it may seem worse at nighttime. As bone metastasis progresses, it can become more chronic or constant, making exercising or daily movement painful.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can have toxic effects on the body, damaging healthy cells alongside cancerous ones. Pain is a possible side effect that may be managed with other types of treatments.

Many MyLymphomaTeam members have shared that their bone pain lasts much longer than the duration of their treatment. As one member asked, “Has anyone had leg and bone pain after chemo? It’s been five years, and it gets worse.” Another member wondered when this symptom might go away, writing that they “still wake up with a lot of bone pain” despite finishing their final round of chemotherapy eight weeks prior.

Responses varied: “I don’t know,” wrote one member. “I’ve been in remission for a year, and every so often, I get those bad bone pains.” One responded that they still have bone pain four years after entering remission, while another member shared that their bone pain “comes and goes” four years after treatment.

Primary Lymphoma of Bone

Although most types of lymphoma originate in the lymph nodes, cancer may develop in any area of the body. Primary lymphoma of the bone (PLB) begins in the bone marrow, damaging its tissues and causing the bone itself to weaken. The most common symptom is pain. People with PLB may experience bone pain even without movement. This subtype of lymphoma is most commonly a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma known as large B-cell lymphoma.

PLB is very rare — bone metastasis is much more common than lymphoma that originates in the bones.

Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration

Certain procedures to diagnose lymphoma may cause bone pain, including bone marrow biopsies and bone marrow aspiration. Usually, the pain is mild and located just in the area where the procedure was performed. It typically goes away after a few days.

“Preparing myself for the PAIN! They numb the top layer of skin, but [the needle] goes ALL the way down into the bone to extract a piece of the bone and marrow,” said a MyLymphomaTeam member. However, they also noted that the procedure “is quick, and by the time it’s over, the pain subsides!”

Luckily, not everyone finds these procedures to be very painful. One member shared that they “did not find the bone marrow aspiration to be as bad as I feared,” while another wrote, “The one I had last year was almost painless.”

Managing Bone Pain With Lymphoma

Let your healthcare team know if you’re experiencing bone pain as a symptom or as a side effect of your cancer treatment. They will be able to advise you on pain management options and determine whether adjusting your treatment may help. A health professional can also investigate whether bone pain is a separate issue that should be addressed.

To help determine the cause of your bone pain, your healthcare provider may consult your medical history, perform a physical examination, or use imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or an X-ray.

Medication for Pain Management

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen, to alleviate mild or moderate bone pain. However, you may not be able to take these medications while undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

If over-the-counter medications aren’t helping your bone pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers. These medications may include a combination of opioid and analgesic (painkiller) drugs such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco), morphine, and other opioid medications, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone.

Treatment for Bone Metastasis

Treating bone metastasis may help relieve the associated bone pain. The type of treatment your oncologist recommends typically depends on the type of lymphoma you have, as well as the location of cancer cells in your bones.

Various medications used to treat bone metastasis may help manage bone pain. Steroids, in particular, can help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation around bone tumors or lesions. Medications traditionally used to treat osteoporosis can help increase bone strength, which may also relieve bone pain.

If treatment options for metastasized lymphoma don’t relieve your pain, your doctor may recommend or prescribe stronger pain medications like those listed above. Schedule a follow-up visit if you’ve tried a pain treatment that doesn’t seem to be working for you.

Pain Relief During Bone Marrow Testing

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to help alleviate pain associated with bone marrow biopsies or bone marrow aspiration.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Some people find that complementary and alternative medicine approaches, such as acupuncture and massage, help manage lymphoma-related pain.

Can Lymphoma Make Your Joints Hurt?

If cancer has spread to the bone, inflammation may develop in the surrounding tissue. This can cause a lump and swelling or tenderness. Nearby joints can also be affected. Swelling can reduce joint mobility, making it harder to move freely and without pain. Additionally, joint pain can be a side effect of medications, like steroids, used in lymphoma treatment.

Several members of MyLymphomaTeam have mentioned joint pain, especially when first waking up in the morning. Some have had luck with physical activity and supplements (like vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium), but you should always ask your healthcare provider first if these remedies are right for you.

Meet Your Team

Living with lymphoma can be challenging. Finding a support system can make a world of difference. MyLymphomaTeam is the social network for people with blood cancer. More than 21,000 members come together to share their insights on questions like, “What does lymphoma in the bone feel like?”

Have you found ways to manage bone pain at home or with the help of your oncology team? Share your experience in the comments below or by posting on your Activities page.

Fatima Sharif, MBBS, FCPS graduated from Aga Khan University, Pakistan, in 2017 after completing medical school. Learn more about her here.
Victoria Menard is a writer at MyHealthTeam. Learn more about her here.

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I Have A Hard Time Articulating My Pain Involvement. I Have Some On Top Of My Feet And Top Of My Hands ; Also Just Below Skin All Over.

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