Objective To explore the types and composition of symptom clusters experienced by lymphoma patients during chemotherapy, and lay the foundation for the symptom management of lymphoma patients. Methods With the Symptom Assessment Scale for Lymphoma Patients, a cross-sectional symptom survey was conducted in 310 lymphoma patients on chemotherapy in the hematology department and day wards of a 3A hospital in Shanghai. Exploratory factor analysis based on different types of scores(symptom total scores, severity scores, and distress scores) was used to determine the symptom clusters, and the numbers, nature and internal structure of symptom clusters were compared. Results The lymphoma patients experienced a median number of 8 symptoms (IQR:1-22). The top 10 symptoms included fatigue, worry, night sweat, restless sleep，hair loss, local lumps, constipation, oral pain, weight loss, and skin change, with incidence rates between 31.60%-72.60%. Symptoms with an incidence rate ≥20% scored averagely 1.85-2.72 in severity dimension, 2.13-2.80 in distress dimension, and 2.02-2.67 in symptom totals. Exploratory factor analysis based on different types of scores (symptom total scores, severity scores, and distress scores) all extracted 5 clusters, which could explain 58.519%,62.892%,60.342% of total variance respectively. Viewed in totality, lymphoma patients plausibly have the following 5 symptom clusters:side-effect symptom cluster (oral pain-fever-hair loss-night sweat-constipation), neuropsychological symptom cluster (nervous-worry-social disturbance), digestive-sleep symptom cluster (nausea-fatigue-restless sleep-decreased appetite), sickness-behavior symptom cluster (dry mouth-drowsiness-dizziness-taste change), and skin symptom cluster (skin change-numbness-pain-itching-lump). Conclusion Lymphoma patients may suffer from psychosomatic distress both from disease and treatment, and there may exist inner relationship among symptoms in the same cluster. Symptom clusters extracted based on severity scores may have higher internal consistency level than those extracted based on symptom total scores. Symptom clusters should be laid emphasis as an intervention unit during symptom management to help lymphoma patients to enhance efficiency of nursing care.