To diagnose the stage of your NHL, you need imaging tests and blood tests.
Imaging tests show which lymph nodes are bigger than normal, if other organs are affected and if you have any large tumors.
Blood tests check for lymphoma cells in your blood. They also check for other substances (like proteins) that can tell physicians how severe your disease is, if your organs are working well and how urgently you need treatment.
You will probably also have tests to check whether lymphoma is in your bone marrow.
Imaging tests to stage NHL
Imaging tests to stage NHL include:
- Chest X-ray
- CT (computed tomography) scan
- FDG-PET (fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) or PET (positron emission tomography) scan
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Blood tests to stage NHL
Blood tests to assess NHL may include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Hepatitis testing
- Uric acid testing
- Antibody testing
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
After numbing the area so there is no pain, a physician uses a hollow needle to take a sample of marrow (bone marrow aspiration) and a small piece of bone (bone marrow biopsy). A pathologist checks these samples for signs of cancer.
Other tests you might need
Your physician recommends other tests based on your NHL subtype and your signs and symptoms. For example, if you have a type of lymphoma that affects the digestive tract, you may need an endoscopy to check your esophagus, stomach or small intestine. You may need a colonoscopy to check your large intestine. If it seems like lymphoma is affecting your brain or spinal cord, you may need a lumbar puncture.
Antibody
A protein made by immune system cells and released into the blood. Antibodies defend the body against foreign substances, such as bacteria.
Biopsy
The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids.
Bone marrow
The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Chest X-ray
A type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the chest, which can be used to diagnose disease.
An X-ray is a type of high-energy radiation that can go through the body and onto film, making pictures of areas inside the chest, which can be used to diagnose disease.
Colonoscopy
An examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, which is inserted into the rectum. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.
An examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, which is inserted into the rectum. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.
Computed tomography
A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs.
A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. This scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment or find out how well treatment is working.
Digestive tract
The organs that food and liquids travel through when they are swallowed, digested and absorbed before leaving the body as feces.
The organs that food and liquids travel through when they are swallowed, digested and absorbed before leaving the body as feces. These organs include the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus. The digestive tract is part of the digestive system. Also called alimentary tract and gastrointestinal tract.
Endoscopy
A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.
A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.
Imaging
In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves.
Lumbar puncture
A procedure in which a thin needle called a spinal needle is put into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid or to give drugs. Also called spinal tap.
Lymphoma
Cancer that begins in the cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Cancer that begins in cells of the immune system. There are two basic categories of lymphomas. One is Hodgkin lymphoma, which is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The other category is non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which includes a large, diverse group of cancers of immune system cells. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can be further divided into cancers that have an indolent (slow-growing) course and those that have an aggressive (fast-growing) course. These subtypes behave and respond to treatment differently. Both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur in children and adults, and prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and the type of cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or X-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints and the inside of bones.
Pathologist
A physician who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope.
Sign
In medicine, a sign is something found during a physical exam or from a laboratory test that shows that a person may have a condition or disease.
In medicine, a sign is something found during a physical exam or from a laboratory test that shows that a person may have a condition or disease. Some examples of signs are fever, swelling, skin rash, high blood pressure and high blood glucose.
Stage
The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
Symptom
A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests.
A physical or mental problem that a person experiences that may indicate a disease or condition. Symptoms cannot be seen and do not show up on medical tests. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea and pain.
Bone marrow aspiration
A procedure in which a small sample of bone marrow is removed, usually from the hip bone, breastbone or thigh bone.
A procedure in which a small sample of bone marrow is removed, usually from the hip bone, breastbone or thigh bone. A small area of skin and the surface of the bone underneath are numbed with an anesthetic. Then, a special wide needle is pushed into the bone. A sample of liquid bone marrow is removed with a syringe attached to the needle. The bone marrow is sent to a laboratory to be looked at under a microscope. This procedure may be done at the same time as a bone marrow biopsy.