HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Exams and Tests
If non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is suspected, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. This exam includes checking for enlarged Reference lymph nodes Opens New Window in your neck, underarm, and groin.
Diagnostic tests
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 Reference bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is usually done to find out if lymphoma cells are present in the bone marrow.
Other tests
Your doctor may also order other tests, including:
- Blood tests, such as a Reference chemistry screen to measure the levels of several substances in the blood and a Reference CBC (complete blood count) to provide information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood.
- A Reference chest X-ray, to provide a picture of the inside of the chest.
- A Reference CT scan or Reference MRI, to provide detailed pictures of the inside of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
- A Reference PET scan, to show areas of increased Reference metabolic Opens New Window activity. Metabolic activity is often high in cancer cells.
- Lab tests, such as flow cytometry, that check the types of cells in a biopsy sample. These tests help your doctor find out the type of lymphoma.
- Reference Lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap), to find out whether lymphoma cells are in the fluid (Reference cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF Opens New Window) surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
| 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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