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 lymph nodes in your neck, underarm, and groin.

A tissue sample (biopsy) 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 bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is usually done to find out if lymphoma cells are present in the bone marrow.

Your doctor may also order other tests, including:

• Blood tests, such as a chemistry screen to measure the levels of several substances in the blood and a CBC (complete blood count) to provide information about the kinds and numbers of cells in the blood.
• A chest X-ray to provide a picture of organs and structures within the chest, including the heart and lungs, the blood vessels of the chest, and the thin sheet of muscle (diaphragm) that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
• A CT scan (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to provide detailed pictures of the organs and structures in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
• PET scan (positron emission tomography) to show areas of increased metabolic activity. Metabolic activity refers to all of the chemical processes that take place in the body, such as using sugars for energy. Metabolic activity is generally 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.
• Lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) to find out whether lymphoma cells are in the fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) surrounding your brain and spinal cord.
• Multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan, which is a type of cardiac blood pool scan. A cardiac blood pool scan shows how well your heart is pumping blood to the rest of your body. A MUGA scan can show whether your heart is strong enough to tolerate certain types of chemotherapy, like doxorubicin.

Early Detection

At this time, there are no special tests recommended for early detection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The best strategy for early diagnosis is to see your doctor if you develop signs or symptoms of NHL.