Newly Diagnosed?
We can help Information for those newly diagnosed with lymphoma 
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Physicians use several kinds of tests to diagnose Hodgkin's disease. These tests help determine the patient's exact type of Hodgkin's disease and uncover other features that are helpful in deciding on the most effective course of treatment.
Biopsy & Laboratory Tests
During a biopsy, physicians remove a small amount of tissue for analysis. They may use one or more types of biopsies, including:
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Excisional or incisional biopsy
When the physician cuts through the skin to remove an entire node (excisional) or a small amount of tumor tissue (incisional). A biopsy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease.
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Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration
When the physician withdraws a small sample of bone marrow through a needle. This test is unlikely to result in a new diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, but it can help determine the extent of the spread of Hodgkin's disease.
Physicians are also likely to conduct tests including blood counts, erythrocyte sedimentation tests, and studies of liver and kidney function.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests to determine the location of tumors in the body. Chest x-rays can detect tumors in the chest and lungs. Using computed tomography (CT scan), physicians can take pictures of the body from a number of angles; these pictures are then combined to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of soft tissues and organs. In gallium scans and positron emission tomography scans using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET), a radioactive substance is injected into the body and migrates to cancerous sites in the body. Using a special camera, physicians can see where the radioactive material collects, and determine the extent of the spread of Hodgkin's disease.
Other Tests
In addition, physicians can use a number of tests that help them determine specific features of the cells in biopsied tissue including genetic abnormalities such as chromosomal rearrangements -- which are common in lymphomas -- and whether the cells have receptors for specific antigens (which helps both identify the cells' origins and determine the patient's prognosis). These tests include:
- cytogenetic studies to determine chromosome changes in cells
- immunohistochemistry studies, in which antibodies are used to distinguish between types of cancer cells
- flow cytometry, in which prepared cells are passed through a laser beam for analysis
- molecular genetic studies (highly sensitive DNA and RNA tests to determine specific genetic traits of cancer cells)
New diagnostic tests and procedures are emerging from work on the human genome and gene expression analysis; these are likely to be important in the future but are currently experimental.
