Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis
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Video: The Importance of Accurately Diagnosing & Staging Cancer
Learn about the importance of an accurate cancer diagnosis.The Importance of Accurately Diagnosing & Staging Cancer
Dr. Timothy McCay explains why it’s important for doctors to accurately diagnose and stage each patient’s cancer.
Diagnosing Hodgkin Lymphoma
Hodgkin lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our team of cancer experts uses state-of-the-art tools to accurately make a cancer diagnosis. This helps us formulate an individualized treatment plan best suited to your needs.
A biopsy is a common diagnostic test for Hodgkin lymphoma. Our pathologists will examine the cells from a biopsy sample under a microscope to look for the presence of Reed- Sternberg cells and other distinguishing characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma.
Throughout your treatment, we’ll use advanced imaging and laboratory tests to track the disease and monitor your response to treatment. Since we often get imaging results the same day and biopsy results within 24 hours, we can quickly modify your treatment plan accordingly.
Cancer Detection: Diagnostic Tests & Tools for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Our doctors may use any of the following diagnostic tests for Hodgkin lymphoma:
- Health history – to determine your health now and in the past
- Physical examination – to examine the size and consistency of your lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, chest or abdomen.
- Blood tests – to rule out an infection or other disease and determine if the lymphoma has spread
- Biopsy – removal of a small amount of tissue to determine the type of lymphoma, the growth rate of the tumor, and whether the disease has spread
- Bone marrow biopsy – removal of a sample of bone marrow
- Lymph node biopsy – removal of all or part of a lymph node
- Flow cytometry – a cancer detection test which passes cancerous cells (stained with a light-sensitive dye) under a laser beam to determine whether the cells contain a normal or abnormal amount of DNA, and the relative rate at which a tumor is growing
- MUGA scan / 2D Echocardiogram – tests used to evaluate and monitor changes in heart function, which may occur as a side effect of certain chemotherapy drugs.
- Imaging tests – tests that use imaging technologies to produce pictures of the inside of the body to determine the extent of cancer in the body, and the presence of infections or other problems.
- PET/CT scan
- Pulmonary Function Test (sometimes)
Next Topic: Hodgkin Lymphoma Staging
