What tests are used to diagnose indolent B-cell NHL?
Indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is usually found using several tests, including some or all
of those listed below. To learn more about a specific test, simply click on the
name of it.
Physical exam:
Your doctor will check for swollen glands or lymph nodes.
Blood test:
A blood test shows whether
your blood counts are above the normal range by looking at blood cells under a microscope.
The blood will also be tested for other chemicals such as LDH (or lactate dehydrogenase),
which shows how fast the cancer is growing.
Biopsy:
Your doctor may take out
part or all of a swollen lymph node to test it for the type of cells that are responsible
for the lymphoma. The sample will also be used for other tests that will tell the
doctor if there are any genetic causes for the NHL.
Imaging:
Imaging tests (like X-rays,
CT [computed tomography] scans, and MRI [magnetic resonance imaging]) will help
tell your doctor whether you have early disease (stage I or II) or if the disease
has progressed (stage III or IV).
How do I know if I have early or advanced NHL?
Your doctor will perform imaging tests that will be able show whether you have early or advanced indolent B-cell NHL based on the stage of your disease. The stage will help your doctor know how far the cancer has spread. The staging system most often used for NHL is called the Ann Arbor staging system. The stages are described by Roman numerals I through IV (1 through 4). In general, the higher the number, the more serious the cancer.
Here is how the stages for NHL are organized:
Stage I: Localized disease; single lymph node region or organ.
Stage II: Two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm.
Stage III: Two or more lymph node regions above and below the diaphragm.
Stage IV: Widespread disease; multiple organs, with or without lymph node involvement.
The doctor will also add the letter A, B, or
E to the above stage.
- A means that you have no symptoms, such as fever or night sweats
- B means that
you have reported some of the signs and symptoms of NHL, such as fever, night sweats,
and weight loss
- E means that parts of your body other than the lymph nodes are
involved
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