Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s Disease)

Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis often begins with an exam that checks for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm and groin. Other tests include imaging tests and removing some cells for testing. The type of tests used for diagnosis may depend on the lymphoma’s location and your symptoms.

Physical exam

A healthcare professional may start by asking about your symptoms. The health professional also may ask about your health history.

Next, the healthcare professional may feel and press on parts of your body to check for swelling or pain. To find swollen lymph nodes, the healthcare professional may feel your neck, underarms and groin. Be sure to say if you have felt any lumps or pain.

Blood tests

A sample of your blood is examined in a lab to understand your health and look for signs of cancer.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue for testing in a lab. For Hodgkin lymphoma, the biopsy typically involves removing one or more lymph nodes. The lymph nodes go to a lab for testing to look for cancer cells. Other special tests give more details about the cancer cells. Your healthcare team uses this information to make a treatment plan. Sometimes a biopsy is taken from other parts of the body, such as the liver, to look for signs of Hodgkin lymphoma.

Imaging tests

Your healthcare team may recommend imaging tests to look for signs of lymphoma in other areas of your body. Tests may include a chest X-ray, CT, MRI and positron emission tomography scans, also called PET scans.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are procedures that involve collecting cells from the bone marrow. The cells are sent for testing. Tests can look for Hodgkin lymphoma cells.

Hodgkin lymphoma stages

Your test results are used to assign a stage to your Hodgkin lymphoma. The stage helps determine the seriousness of your condition and the treatments most likely to help you.

Hodgkin lymphoma staging uses the numbers 1 to 4 to indicate the stage. A lower number means the lymphoma cells only involve one or a few areas of lymph nodes. An early-stage cancer is more likely to be cured. As the lymphoma grows to involve more areas of the body, the stage number goes up. A higher number means the cancer is more advanced.

Hodgkin lymphoma stages also may include the letters A and B. The letter A means that you don’t have worrying symptoms of lymphoma. The letter B means that you have some symptoms, such as fever or weight loss.