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What will your CBC look like with lymphoma?

Complete blood count (CBC) White blood cells, which fight infection. A low white blood cell count can occur due to lymphoma or other conditions, like an autoimmune disorder. Lymphoma sometimes shows in the blood as an abnormally high white blood cell count.

healthline.com - How Doctors Diagnose Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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We explain how your doctor would diagnose non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including a breakdown of tests. If you have lymphoma symptoms , visit a doctor as soon as possible. They can provide a diagnosis using tests like blood panels, biopsies, and more. Most cases of lymphoma are usually considered treatable. But it’s still a serious condition that requires medical attention. Your overall outlook depends on early diagnosis. The sooner you get checked, the better your outcome will be. Between these two categories, there are more than 70 subtypes. They range from slow-growing cancers to aggressive, fast-growing forms. Lymphoma occurs if cancer forms in the lymphatic system. The two main types include: The lymphatic system is a major part of your body’s immune system. It includes your lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen, and thymus. When you first see the doctor, they’ll perform a physical exam . This helps them analyze your symptoms, which provides a baseline for your diagnosis. A doctor will use multiple procedures to diagnose non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma . The exact combination of tests will depend on your symptoms and overall health. A doctor will carry out several tests to confirm a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis.

Lymph node biopsy

A lymph node biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing lymphoma. Often, it’s the only test that can provide an official diagnosis. During the procedure, a specialist takes a sample of a lymph node. The sample is examined under a microscope for signs of lymphoma. The sample may also help your doctor determine the type of lymphoma and how fast it’s growing.

Types of lymph node biopsies include:

excisional biopsy, which removes an entire lymph node

incisional biopsy, which removes part of a lymph node

core needle biopsy, which only removes a small lymph node sample

laparoscopic biopsy, which uses small instruments to remove a sample from deep within your body The best option depends on your overall health and where the affected lymph nodes are located. It may take multiple biopsies to accurately diagnose non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Blood panel

After the physical exam, the doctor will likely order a blood test. This looks for specific markers in your blood that might indicate lymphoma. It also helps your doctor rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

A typical blood panel includes the following tests:

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Complete blood count (CBC)

CBC measures certain parts of your blood, including:

Red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body. If lymphoma disrupts red blood cell production in the bone marrow, you may have a low red blood cell count, or anemia. White blood cells, which fight infection. A low white blood cell count can occur due to lymphoma or other conditions, like an autoimmune disorder. Lymphoma sometimes shows in the blood as an abnormally high white blood cell count. Platelets, which are cells that clot the blood. Lymphoma in the bone marrow may result in a low platelet count.

Liver and kidney function

Your doctor may also want to check how well your liver and kidneys are working. A liver function test for albumin might help them diagnose advanced lymphoma. The condition can decrease levels of albumin, a protein produced by the liver.

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)

Your blood panel might include LDH, an enzyme in most of your tissues. Some forms of lymphoma increase LDH production. However, since high levels can occur due to other diseases, you’ll need other tests to help with the diagnosis.

C-reactive protein (CRP)

During the inflammatory response, the body produces C-reactive protein. High levels in the blood may be a sign of cancer, including lymphoma, but could also be due to other sources of inflammation.

Imaging tests

A lymphoma diagnosis often includes imaging tests. These tests allow your doctor to:

locate enlarged lymph nodes

check if lymphoma has affected other organs

look for tumors

staging lymphoma

A doctor might use the following tests:

Ultrasound. During an ultrasound, sound waves bounce off tissues and organs to create an image. Your doctor may use an ultrasound to examine swollen areas or find the best location for a biopsy. During an ultrasound, sound waves bounce off tissues and organs to create an image. Your doctor may use an ultrasound to examine swollen areas or find the best location for a biopsy. X-ray. An X-ray uses radiation to take detailed images of the inside of your body. An X-ray uses radiation to take detailed images of the inside of your body. Computed tomography (CT) scan. In a CT scan, a radiographer uses narrow X-rays to create detailed 3D pictures. Compared to X-rays, CT scans take clearer images of swollen lymph nodes. In a CT scan, a radiographer uses narrow X-rays to create detailed 3D pictures. Compared to X-rays, CT scans take clearer images of swollen lymph nodes. Positron emission tomography (PET). Before a PET scan, a doctor will inject you with a radioactive form of sugar, which cancer cells absorb. These cells appear on the scan.

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Before a PET scan, a doctor will inject you with a radioactive form of sugar, which cancer cells absorb. These cells appear on the scan. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If your doctor thinks you have lymphoma of the central nervous system, they’ll order an MRI.

Bone marrow biopsy

Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside most of our bones. It makes important blood cells, including red blood cells and platelets. Lymphoma can start in your bone marrow. If your doctor thinks this is the source of your lymphoma, you might need a bone marrow biopsy. In this test, a healthcare professional removes a small sample of bone marrow for lymphoma cells. A bone marrow biopsy isn’t necessary for all people with a lymphoma diagnosis. Your doctor will decide if you need one.

Immunophenotyping

Immunophenotyping is a lab test that checks the affected cells for specific markers, called clusters of differentiation (CD). There are different methods for achieving this.

Immunohistochemistry

In this test, the doctor uses antibodies to check a tissue sample for specific proteins. The antibodies stick to the proteins, which activates an enzyme or fluorescent dye. This shows up under a microscope, which allows a specialist to determine the type of lymphoma cells.

Flow cytometry

Flow cytometry uses fluorescent antibodies to stain blood cells. A healthcare professional will place the blood or tissue in a flow cytometer, which evaluates:

number and percentage of cells

cell size and shape

specific markers on the cell surface

Your doctor can use the results to diagnose lymphoma.

Chromosome tests

Chromosomes consist of DNA strands. In some people, the lymphoma cells may have altered chromosomes.

To find these anomalies, a doctor might request chromosome tests, including:

healthline.com - How Doctors Diagnose Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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