Cancer Lymphoma Diagnosis How Lymphoma Is Diagnosed By Indranil Mallick, MD Indranil Mallick, MD LinkedIn Twitter Indranil Mallick, MD, DNB, is a radiation oncologist with a special interest in lymphoma. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 10, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Rony Kampalath, MD Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD Rony Kampalath, MD, is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist specializing in imaging of the abdomen. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Most people with lymphoma first notice enlarged lymph nodes in their neck, armpits or groin. They also may have a fever, weight loss, and other vague symptoms that can mimic other diseases. Your healthcare provider may suspect lymphoma based on the symptoms you have or from scans of affected parts of your body. B. Boissonnet / Getty Images Biopsy Is the First Step To test for lymphoma, a healthcare provider will perform a core biopsy or an excisional biopsy, taking a small sample of tissue from the affected nodes or organs. The biopsy sample will be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist. Most patients will receive a lymph node biopsy, but if the lymphoma affects organs like the skin, brain, or the stomach, a biopsy from these organs may be required instead. If a doctor initially asks for a needle aspiration cytology (called FNAC) and it turns out to be lymphoma, it is worthwhile to do a biopsy to get more tissue for a more detailed diagnosis. Determining the Type The diagnosis of lymphoma is not enough information for a healthcare provider to give proper treatment. He or she must also determine which of the two main types of lymphoma — Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) — a patient has. The type of lymphoma can be identified by the physical appearance of the cancer cells under the microscope, or by using markers that identify special molecules on the lymphoma cells. It's important that a pathologist skilled in lymphoma makes the determination. Tests After Diagnosis Once the diagnosis of lymphoma is clear, it becomes necessary to perform a number of tests to see how far the disease has spread and which organs are involved. Scans of different parts of the body, as well as a bone marrow test, may be done if the healthcare provider feels it is required. Also, some blood tests can show how advanced the disease is, and if the patient is fit for treatment with chemotherapy. Once these tests are done, the oncologist can discuss treatment options with the patient. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma. Cedars Sinai. Lymphoma. National Foundation for Cancer Research. Hodgkin’s & non-hodgkin’s lymphoma: what’s the difference? Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Lab and imaging tests. Additional Reading American Cancer Society. Tests for Hodgkin lymphoma. American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma. American Cancer Society. Tests for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Frederiksen JK, Sharma M, Casulo C, Burack WR. Systematic review of the effectiveness of fine-needle aspiration and/or core needle biopsy for subclassifying lymphoma. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2015;139(2):245-251. doi:10.5858/arpa.2013-0674-RA Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Bone marrow tests. University of Rochester Medical Center. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: tests after diagnosis.