Diagnosing Lymphoma

How Lymphoma is Diagnosed

Lymphoma is normally suspected during routine examinations, or in some cases, when a person feels a swollen lymph node that does not go away, or returns. A person may experience other symptoms of lymphoma that prompts them to see a doctor.

Diagnosing Lymphoma

To make a diagnosis of lymphoma, a series of medical tests are performed to confirm a suspician of lymphoma. Medical tests and procedures performed to diagnose lymphoma include:

• physical exam
  
• giving personal and family medical history
  
• feeling of the lymph nodes during physical exam

If the doctor suspects lymph node abnormalities, then a biopsy may be ordered.

Other ways in which lymphoma may be diagnosed are:

• chest x-ray (enlarged lymph nodes of the chest mat be found)
  
• ultrasound
  
• MRI or CT/CAT scan
  
• Gallium scan
  
  Once a diagnosis of lymphoma is confirmed, more tests will be ordered to determine the stage of the disease. The stage of lymphoma indicates how far the cancer has spread.