HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor to schedule an appointment if you have had any symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, such as:
- Painless swelling in the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin.
- Unexplained fever.
- Drenching night sweats.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss in the past 6 months.
- Itchy skin.
- Cough or shortness of breath.
- Pain in the belly or back.
Who to see
Health professionals who can evaluate your symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) include:
- Reference Family medicine doctors Opens New Window.
- Reference Internists Opens New Window.
- Reference Surgeons Opens New Window.
- Reference Nurse practitioners Opens New Window.
When NHL is suspected, a tissue sample (Reference biopsy Opens New Window) is needed to make a diagnosis. A biopsy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is usually taken from a lymph node. But other tissues may be sampled as well. A surgeon will remove a sample of tissue so that a Reference pathologist Opens New Window can examine it under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is usually treated by a Reference medical oncologist Opens New Window or a Reference hematologist Opens New Window. If you need radiation therapy, you will also see a Reference radiation oncologist Opens New Window.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 22, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
