Lymphoma Diagnosis

We diagnose the specific type of lymphoma you have — Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including B-cell and T-cell lymphomas — and identify molecular markers specific to your cancer that may predict its behavior and response to therapies. Then we develop a treatment plan tailored just for you. At Winship, you benefit from the expertise of our team and our ability to provide a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of your specific cancer.

In addition, our stature as the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Georgia ensures our teams of hematologists, radiologists, pathologists and others see more complex and rare forms of lymphoma than other cancer treatment centers in the region.

Your doctor may order a blood test if they notice enlarged lymph nodes during a physical exam, along with other signs or possible symptoms of lymphoma. However, a blood test alone cannot diagnose lymphoma in most cases. A biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose lymphoma. This is the gold standard diagnostic test for both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

During the procedure, a small piece of a lymph node, or perhaps an entire lymph node, is removed so that a pathologist can examine the tissues and cells. In an excisional biopsy, the entire lymph node is removed. During an incisional biopsy, a small part or a larger tumor or node is removed.

An accurate lymphoma diagnosis includes staging the disease. Staging is important because it pinpoints the extent of the disease’s spread throughout the body and informs the best, most effective course of treatment for you. A complete staging workup may include:

• Physical exam
• Blood work
• Advanced imaging, such as CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans and ultrasounds
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Your Winship lymphoma specialist can discuss what tests would be most helpful in your case to determine the best treatment plan.

The signs and symptoms of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are often mild. You may have no symptoms during the early stages of the disease. If you do get symptoms, they may not be readily visible or felt. But there are a few signs to be aware of. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your primary care doctor so they can conduct a thorough physical exam. Some of the more common signs and symptoms of lymphoma include:

• Painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpit, upper chest or groin
• Unexplained or persistent fever
• Night sweats
• Severe itchiness of the skin
• Rashes or lumps on the skin
• Neck or flank pain
• Increased sensitivity to the effects of alcohol, or pain in your lymph nodes after drinking alcohol
• Abdominal bloating or tenderness (due to an enlarged spleen)
• Unintended weight loss
• Persistent fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent and/or serious infections
• Easy bruising, bleeding

We provide you with a full medical care team that includes hematopathologists (pathologists specially trained to diagnose diseases of the blood), hematologists, advanced practice providers, oncology nurses and others. This team brings together a breadth and depth of lymphoma expertise, especially when it comes to safely and quickly obtaining the biopsies that are crucial in diagnosing the disease. Our specialists are also experienced in diagnosing rare forms of lymphoma, such as mantle cell lymphoma. No matter your needs for your cancer, you can rest assured that you’re in expert hands at Winship.