Non-Hodgkins Diagnosis

Diagnosis. If non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is suspected, several tests may be administered by our physicians to determine whether lymph node swelling is caused by an infection or another form of cancer. First, the patient will undergo a physical examination to determine overall health. Then blood tests may be ordered to assess the function of major organs and the chemical makeup of the blood. Other tests that offer detailed pictures of internal organs, such as an MRI, CT scan or PET scan, may also be performed.
 

The final diagnosis, however, depends on a biopsy (study of tissue samples) of the affected lymph node(s). Depending on the individual case, the biopsy could involve taking a tissue sample of the nodes, a partial or complete removal of the nodes, or a bone marrow biopsy.

Classification. Over the years, doctors have used a variety of terms to classify the many different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Most often however, they are grouped by how quickly they grow. The numerous subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are typically grouped into three distinct categories based on their aggressiveness:
 

• Indolent, or slow growing
• Aggressive, or fast growing
• Highly aggressive
   

To schedule a consult with our team of oncologists, simply ask your primary care physician for a referral or make a self-referral by calling 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-685-LACK(S).