Diagnosing lymphoma requires a thorough and personalized approach, as treatment strategies can vary significantly based on the type and stage of each person’s disease. 

Our experts use advanced tools to diagnose lymphoma and gain a comprehensive understanding of your disease. They also use a variety of tests to see how advanced your lymphoma is—a process called staging. Accurate diagnosis and staging are essential to ensure you receive the most effective treatment while avoiding unnecessary therapies that could impact your quality of life. 

If you have symptoms that suggest lymphoma, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests: 

• Blood tests: These tests may include a complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, and blood smear, which help identify abnormalities in your blood related to lymphoma. 
• Imaging tests: We use the latest imaging technologies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and computed tomography (CT) scans, to assess the location and stage of your lymphoma. 
• Lymph node biopsy: If you have enlarged lymph nodes, your doctor may surgically remove a small amount of tissue to confirm if lymphoma is present. A pathologist will examine the tissue to see if it contains cancer cells and, if so, to determine the lymphoma's characteristics. This will help us create the best treatment plan for you. 
• Lumbar puncture: This test is also called a spinal tap. Your doctor uses a long needle to remove some spinal fluid and check it for lymphoma cells. 

Molecular DNA Analysis of Lymphoma

The blood cancer specialists at Englewood Health provide advanced molecular profiling of cancer cells. After your biopsy, a lymph node sample is sent to our laboratory for an in-depth analysis of its genetic features. This analysis helps us understand the biology of your cancer, including its growth patterns and mutations, and predicts how it might respond to various anti-cancer therapies. With this information, we can take a precision medicine approach that targets the unique DNA of your cancer cells for more effective treatment.