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Lymphomas
:Diagnosis
There are no screening tests to find Hodgkin's disease or NHL early, and some people with the disease have no symptoms at all. The signs and symptoms of lymphomas may highly vary depending on the location of the lymph tissue that is involved with the disease. Since enlarged lymph nodes are the primary sign, the diagnosis of lymphoma may be delayed because enlarged lymph nodes commonly occur with infections. Doctors often observe swollen nodes over a period of weeks to look for changes or reductions in size. Some of the most common early symptoms of lymphoma may be:
- Enlarged painless lymph nodes.
- Swelling of lymph nodes inside the body, which creates pressure on organs or body parts near them.
- Symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, swelling in the abdomen, intestinal blockage, and abdominal pain.
- Fever
- Drenching night sweats
- Weight loss
- Itching
- Tiredness
- Decreased appetite
If a lymphoma is found, prompt treatment could save your life. Call a doctor at the PET centers nearest you if you have any of these symptoms.
If your doctor suspects that you might have lymphoma, he/she will most likely talk to you about your medical history, do a physical exam, and biopsy the enlarged lymph node. PET can help doctors select a site for biopsy when the first suspected site is not easily accessible. If you have lymphoma, your doctor might want to do additional tests.
PET (positron emission tomography) scanning is one of the most accurate ways to characterize the extent of lymphoma spread.
A PET scan is a test that helps doctors learn more about a tumor, and may even prevent an unnecessary biopsy. For information about whether you might be a candidate for PET or to schedule a PET Scan contact Care Imaging at 905-712-9500.
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