Tests for non Hodgkin's lymphoma
This page tells you about tests you may have to find out if you have non Hodgkin's lymphoma. You can find information about
Tests for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Most people begin by going to see their GP. Your doctor will ask you about your general health and examine you. They may take a blood test to check your general health. As most causes of enlarged glands are not serious, your doctor may suggest re-examining you in a couple of weeks. If the glands stay enlarged and there is no obvious reason, your GP may want to refer you to the hospital for tests.
If you are referred to hospital
At the hospital the doctor will examine you again and ask you questions about any other illnesses you have had recently or in the past. You will probably have a chest X-ray and blood tests to check your general health.
Lymph node biopsy
The only way to get a definite diagnosis of the cause of an enlarged lymph node is to remove it and look at it under the microscope. This is called a lymph node biopsy. It is a small operation. It is usually done in hospital under a general anaesthetic but sometimes under a local anaesthetic.
For most people, it is a very anxious time waiting for the biopsy result. It takes a few days to do the tests. It may take up to a week for the results to come through. You can talk to your GP in the meantime if you are worried. Your result may be sent to your GP or you may be asked to come back to the hospital to an out patient clinic.
Most people begin by going to see their GP. They are usually worried by an unexplained lump in the neck, armpit or groin. Many people go to their GP with these symptoms, but most of them will not have NHL. A GP will only see a patient with lymphoma about once every 3 years.
The Department of Health have produced referral guidelines for GPs to help them decide which patients with suspected non Hodgkin's lymphoma need to be seen urgently by a specialist.
Your doctor will ask you about your health and examine you. You may have some blood taken to check your general health. As most causes of enlarged glands are not serious, your doctor may suggest re-examining you in a couple of weeks. Most enlarged glands will have gone down by then. But if the glands stay enlarged and there is no obvious reason, your GP may want to refer you to the hospital for tests.
At the hospital the doctor will examine you again and ask you questions about any other illnesses you have had recently, or in the past. You will probably have a chest X-ray and blood tests to check your general health.
The only way to get a definite diagnosis of the cause of an enlarged lymph node is to remove it and look at it under the microscope. This is called a lymph node biopsy. It is a small operation. Your body has many lymph nodes, and having 1 or 2 removed does not usually cause any problems. The biopsy is usually done in hospital under a general anaesthetic, but sometimes under a local anaesthetic.
When you wake up, you will have a few stitches where the lymph node has been removed. These will be covered by a dressing. You will probably be able to go home the same day, as soon as you have recovered from the anaesthetic. You will most likely be asked to go to your GP surgery to have your stitches removed a week to 10 days later.
For most people, waiting for the biopsy result is a very anxious time. It takes a few days to do the tests. It may take a week or so for the results to come through. You can talk to your GP in the meantime if you are worried.
Your result may be sent to your GP or you may be asked to come back to the hospital to an out patient clinic.
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