Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Diagnosis

The following is a listing of some of the tests that may be performed in diagnosing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:

• Physical Examination: The first step toward checking for non Hodgkins lymphoma is typically a physical examination, where your doctor will look for signs of disease. Your doctor may check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin area. He or she may also look for swelling in the tonsils and throat and may palpitate your abdomen for signs of a mass or enlarged liver or spleen. Your doctor may also apply pressure to look for signs of tenderness and ask you about numbness or muscle weakness.



• Complete Blood Count (CBC): A sample of blood is drawn from a vein and analyzed for the following:
  
  
  • number of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelets
  • amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) (HGB) in the red blood cells
  • portion of the sample made up of red blood cells (HCT)
  • appearance of blood cells under the microscope


• Blood chemistry studies: In addition to the CBC, a blood sample may be analyzed to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by the organs and tissues of the body. A higher amount than normal of a particular substance can be a sign of disease in the organ that produces it.



• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray may be taken to look for signs of a mass in the center of the chest and/or the lungs or fluid build-up (an “effusion”) around the lungs or heart.



• CT scan: A CT scan may be taken of the chest, abdomen, and/or pelvic area to look for enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, or liver, or masses in the lungs or other organs. A CT scan or MRI of the brain may be done if your doctor suspects that non Hodgkins lymphoma is affecting your brain or central nervous system.



• PET scan: A positron-emission tomography (PET) scan may show areas affected by non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Sometimes, a PET scan is conducted after a CT scan shows signs of a possible lymphoma.
  
  
  • During this procedure, radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a patient’s vein. Then a scanner makes detailed, computerized images of areas where the glucose is used. As cancer cells will often use more glucose than healthy cells, the pictures can be used to locate cancer cells.


• Lymphangiogram: In this test, a special dye is injected into the feet to help highlight the lymph nodes in the pelvis and abdomen. An X-ray of the abdomen can track the disease. The dyes stay in the system for a long period of time, allowing for the disease to be followed through follow-up X-rays.



• Biopsy: A biopsy of the affected tissue is typically necessary to confirm a diagnosis of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Your doctor might surgically remove some lymph nodes or take a tissue sample from the affected area. A “surgical biopsy” involves the doctor removing the lymph node or tissue during a surgical procedure. A “core biopsy” involves using a needle that is hollow in the center to take samples of the tissue. A needle “aspiration” involves the use of a thinner needle to remove fluid and cells from the affected area. The biopsy sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

This Web site is sponsored by the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. Please understand that the information provided is not medical advice, but is simply offered as a resource to help you learn about non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and benzene. Please discuss your health-related questions and concerns with your doctor.

Benzene can cause non Hodgkin lymphoma and other disorders and blood cancers. If you have been diagnosed with non Hodgkins lymphoma and would like information about your legal rights, please call us at 800-946-9646 or e-mail us at

Please also visit our glossary for helpful definitions of medical terms relating to the diagnosis and treatment of non Hodgkins lymphoma.