Diagnosis
Hodgkin lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose by physical exam alone. Its symptoms – fatigue, fever, night sweats – mimic other illnesses much less serious in nature. If your symptoms have persisted longer than two weeks and if they do not respond to treatment, your WellStar physician may want to conduct a variety of tests to determine whether you have Hodgkin lymphoma. The tests may include:
- Biopsy: Tissue will be removed from an enlarged lymph node and examined under a microscope to look for the enlarged cells called a Reed-Sternberg cells that are the hallmark of Hodgkin lymphoma.
- PET scan
- X-ray
- CT scans
- MRI scans
Hodgkin Lymphoma Stages
If Hodgkin lymphoma is diagnosed, your WellStar physician will categorize it by the current stage. Each stage describes the progression of the disease and whether the it has spread to other parts of the body. You should talk to your WellStar physician to understand each stage, and what it means for your treatment plan.