![]() ![]() The 2 tests are often done at the same time. These procedures are not normally done to diagnose lymphoma, but they might be used to help determine the stage (extent) of a lymphoma that has already been diagnosed.īone marrow aspiration and biopsy: These procedures are often done after lymphoma has been diagnosed to help determine if it has reached the bone marrow. If lymphoma has already been diagnosed, needle biopsies are sometimes used to check abnormal areas in other parts of the body that might be from the lymphoma spreading or coming back after treatment. If the node or tumor is deep inside the body, the doctor can guide the needle using a computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound (see descriptions of imaging tests later in this section). To biopsy an enlarged node just under the skin, the doctor can aim the needle while feeling the node. For a core needle biopsy, the doctor uses a larger needle to remove a slightly larger piece of tissue.In a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, the doctor uses a very thin, hollow needle attached to a syringe to withdraw (aspirate) a small amount of tissue from an enlarged lymph node or a tumor mass.There are 2 main types of needle biopsies: An excisional biopsy might still be needed even after a needle biopsy has been done, to diagnose and classify lymphoma. But if the doctor suspects that your lymph node is enlarged because of an infection or by the spread of cancer from another organ (such as the breast, lungs, or thyroid), a needle biopsy may be the first type of biopsy done. Most doctors do not use needle biopsies to diagnose lymphoma. ![]() Needle biopsy: Needle biopsies are less invasive than excisional or incisional biopsies, but the drawback is that they might not remove enough of a sample to diagnose lymphoma (or to determine which type it is). But if the node is inside the chest or abdomen, you will be sedated (given drugs to make you drowsy and relaxed) or given general anesthesia (drugs to put you into a deep sleep). If the enlarged node is just under the skin, this is a fairly simple operation that can often be done with local anesthesia (numbing medicine). If a small part of a larger tumor or node is removed, it is called an incisional biopsy.If the doctor removes the entire lymph node, it is called an excisional biopsy.In this procedure, a surgeon cuts through the skin to remove the lymph node. Doctors choose which one to use based on each person’s situation.Įxcisional or incisional biopsy: This is the preferred and most common type of biopsy if lymphoma is suspected, because it almost always provides enough of a sample to diagnose the exact type of NHL. Biopsies to diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma If the nodes stay the same or continue to grow, the doctor might order a biopsy.Ī biopsy might be needed right away if the size, texture, or location of a lymph node or the presence of other symptoms strongly suggests lymphoma. Because of this, doctors often prescribe antibiotics and wait a few weeks to see if the lymph nodes shrink. For example, enlarged lymph nodes are more often caused by infections than by lymphoma. But it's not always done right away because many symptoms of NHL can also be caused by other problems, like an infection, or by other kinds of cancer. Biopsyįor a biopsy, a small piece of a lymph node or, more often, an entire lymph node is removed for testing in a lab.Ī biopsy is the only way to confirm a person has NHL. If the doctor suspects that lymphoma might be causing your symptoms, they might recommend a biopsy of a swollen lymph node or other affected area. Blood tests aren't used to diagnose lymphoma, though. The doctor also might order blood tests to look for signs of infection or other problems. Because infections are the most common cause of enlarged lymph nodes, the doctor will look for an infection near the swollen lymph nodes. Next, the doctor will examine you, paying special attention to the lymph nodes and other areas of the body that might be affected, including the spleen and liver. Your doctor will want to get a complete medical history, including information about your symptoms, possible risk factors, and other medical conditions. If you have signs or symptoms that suggest you might have lymphoma, exams and tests will be done to find out for sure and, if so, to determine the exact type of lymphoma. Most people with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) see their doctor because they have felt a lump that hasn’t gone away, they develop some of the other symptoms of NHL, or they just don’t feel well and go in for a check-up. ![]()
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