Tools for lymphoma diagnosis
Our specialists use a variety of tools to gather complex information about lymphoma for accurate diagnosis, including:
During a physical exam, our nurses and hematologists (blood cancer doctors) will ask you about:
- Symptoms
- How long they’ve been happening
- Personal and family history of cancer
- Previous exposure to chemicals
- Whether you smoke or used to smoke
- Any medical conditions that may affect your ability to tolerate treatments
They’ll also look for signs of lymphoma, such as:
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Pale skin
- Swollen lymph nodes
Blood tests are essential to accurately diagnosing this complex disease. These tests can show whether you have lymphoma cells or abnormal levels of normal cells:
- Blood smear: We take a drop of blood and look at it under a microscope. Our pathologists are experts at identifying abnormal blood cells that may indicate lymphoma. A pathologist can also tell whether the cells are Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin.
- Complete blood count (CBC): A complete blood count (CBC) measures red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): ESR is the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube. This is a way to measure the amount of inflammation in the body.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): This test can detect a protein released by damaged cells.
- Other blood tests: Blood tests can also measure chemicals that show how organs such as the liver and kidneys are functioning. This can help determine whether lymphoma has spread to those parts of the body.
- Testing for certain viruses: Your health care provider may test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B. They are risk factors for lymphoma and can affect treatment.
Your team may order a bone marrow biopsy to check the cells in the bone marrow.
For a bone marrow biopsy, a specialist uses a long, thin needle to take a small sample of bone marrow. The sample usually comes from the hip bone. Expert pathologists in our laboratory examine the cells for lymphoma.
Your team may order a test of your lymph nodes to check the cells in the lymphatic system, where lymphoma starts. A specialist removes part or all of a lymph node for testing. Many lymph nodes are close to the skin’s surface, so the procedure is usually simple.
Pathologists who specialize in blood cancers analyze the tissue under a microscope. The results will determine whether you have lymphoma and what type.
Your hematologist may also order imaging tests to determine how much lymphoma has spread in the body. The tests can also detect infections or other problems. Imaging tests include X-rays, computed tomography (or CT), magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI), ultrasound and positron emission tomography (or PET).
Our lymphoma team meets to discuss your test results, which includes hematologists, oncologists, pathologists and any other experts needed. This meeting will ensure that we have all of the information we need for accurate diagnosis.
Then our physicians and nurse navigators will meet with you, taking time to educate you about the diagnosis, including:
- Test results
- Specific subtype of lymphoma
- Prognosis
- Treatment options
- Questions you or your loved ones have