The short answer
Night sweats have many causes, including menopause, infections, anxiety, alcohol, a warm bedroom and some medicines. NCI lists drenching night sweats as a lymphoma symptom, along with painless swollen lymph nodes, fever for no known reason, and weight loss for no known reason. Sweats with no known cause that last a few weeks are worth a doctor's visit.
Night sweats have many causes, such as menopause, infections, anxiety, alcohol, a warm room and some medicines.
NCI lists drenching night sweats as a symptom of lymphoma.
NCI also lists painless swollen lymph nodes, fever for no known reason, and weight loss for no known reason.
NCI says to see a doctor if symptoms do not get better after a few weeks.
Watch: Are night sweats a sign of cancer?
55 sec · Captioned · Night sweats are usually not cancer — the pattern that changes the answer.
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This page is for anyone who wakes up sweating at night and wonders whether it could be lymphoma. It covers what lymphoma-related sweats look like, more common causes, and what a doctor checks.
The short answer
Not necessarily. Night sweats have many causes. MedlinePlus lists menopause, infection, anxiety, alcohol, spicy food, warm temperatures, and some medicines. Cancer is on its list too. NCI says symptoms like these are most often caused by illness, injury, benign tumors, or other problems. But night sweats with no known cause that do not go away are worth a doctor's look, especially with other symptoms.
What lymphoma-related night sweats look like
NCI lists "drenching night sweats" among the symptoms of lymphoma. The other symptoms it lists are fever for no known reason and weight loss for no known reason. When fever, drenching night sweats, and weight loss occur together, NCI calls them "B symptoms." NCI also lists swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.
The other clue: a painless swollen lymph node
The National Cancer Institute lists painless, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin as a symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymph nodes are small glands that are part of your immune system. MedlinePlus says swollen nodes that appear suddenly and are painful are usually due to injury or infection. It says slow, painless swelling may be due to cancer or a tumor. NCI also lists itchy skin, especially after bathing or drinking alcohol, as a Hodgkin lymphoma symptom.
Other causes of night sweats
MedlinePlus lists these causes of sweating:
- Menopause. Heavy sweating can be a hot flash.
- Infection or fever.
- Anxiety, alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, or warm temperatures.
- Some medicines. MedlinePlus names thyroid hormone, morphine, medicines to reduce fever, and medicines to treat mental health conditions.
It also lists low blood sugar and withdrawal from alcohol, sedatives, or narcotic painkillers.
What a doctor does first
Your doctor asks how often the sweats happen, how long this has gone on, and whether you have noticed fever, weight loss, or a lump. A physical exam checks your lymph nodes and general health. NCI says a complete blood count, which counts your blood cells, is one of the tests used in lymphoma work-ups.
If a lymph node looks concerning, the next step may be a biopsy. This means removing all or part of the node to look at under a microscope. Ask when the pathology result should be back and who will call you. NCI says scans such as a CT or PET-CT may be used if lymphoma is found.
When a normal check does not end the question
NCI says to see your doctor if symptoms do not get better after a few weeks. If your exam and blood work come back normal but the night sweats keep happening, say so at a follow-up visit.
When to get help sooner
- Call 911 or go to an emergency department if sweating comes with chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, or a rapid, pounding heartbeat. MedlinePlus says to contact a provider for these. Emergency care is the safer route.
- Call your care team right away, day or night, if you are on chemotherapy or have low white blood cell counts and you have a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, a sore throat, mouth sores, burning when you urinate, or redness where a catheter enters your body. A normal temperature is not a reason to wait. CDC says to call your doctor immediately for a fever during chemotherapy. It says an infection during chemotherapy can be life-threatening. If no one on your team answers, go to the nearest emergency department.
- Call your care team the same day if you are not in treatment and the sweats arrive with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher and you feel genuinely unwell, or if a swollen node has grown noticeably in a matter of days.
- Call your care team within a day or two if the sweats have gone on beyond a few weeks, or the sweats now come with weight you did not try to lose or a painless lump in the neck, underarm or groin.
What to ask your doctor
- I have drenching night sweats [how often] — what could be causing them?
- Could this be menopause, an infection, or a medicine side effect?
- Should I be checked for swollen lymph nodes?
- What other symptoms should I watch for?
Sources
Common questions
Do night sweats mean lymphoma?
Not necessarily. Night sweats have many causes, such as menopause, infections, anxiety, alcohol or a warm room. NCI says cancer symptoms like these are most often caused by illness, injury, benign tumors, or other problems. Night sweats for no known reason are still worth checking.
What kind of night sweats are more concerning?
Drenching night sweats, especially with a painless swollen lymph node, weight loss for no known reason, or fever for no known reason, are more worth checking. NCI lists these together as lymphoma symptoms.
What are common causes of night sweats?
MedlinePlus lists menopause, infection, anxiety, alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, warm temperatures and some medicines among the causes. Cancer is also on its list.
Should I track my night sweats?
Yes. Noting how often they happen and any other symptoms helps your doctor find the cause.
Questions to ask your doctor
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Sources last checked: 2026-07-12 what this meansLast updated: 2026-09-29Next planned review: 2027-07-12
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Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes, and this is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Editorial review complete — This page completed Cancer Explained's editorial checks (sources, safety, plain language, duplication). It has not been reviewed by a physician or other healthcare professional.
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