Diagnosing Hodgkins Lymphoma
Tests that examine the lymph nodes are used to detect (find) and diagnose Hodgkin's lymphoma. The following tests and procedures may be used:
- Physical exam and history
An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's past illnesses and treatments will also be taken. - Complete blood count (CBC)
A sample of blood is drawn and checked for: - Number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- Amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells
- Portion of the sample made up of red blood cells
- Blood chemistry studies
A blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body. An unusual (higher or lower than normal) amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that makes it. - Sedimentation rate
A sample of blood is checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube. - Lymph node biopsy
The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells, especially Reed-Sternberg cells which are common in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.
One of the following types of biopsies may be done:
- Excisional biopsy: entire lymph node is removed.
- Incisional biopsy: part of a lymph node is removed.
- Core biopsy: part of a lymph node is removed with a wide needle.
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