Lymphoma

Healthcare providers diagnose lymphoma by doing physical examinations to evaluate potential lymphoma symptoms and biopsies to obtain tissue for examination by a medical pathologist. If laboratory tests show signs of lymphoma, providers may do certain blood and imaging tests to learn more about your condition and to plan treatment.

Blood tests

Complete blood count (CBC) with differential to analyze different types of white blood cells.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to detect inflammation that may be a sign of lymphoma.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to detect large amount of cell “turnover” or growth/death.
Liver and kidney function tests.
Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) to evaluate monoclonal proteins (M proteins), which are abnormal proteins that your plasma cells produce.

Imaging tests

Computed tomography (CT) scan to look for lymphoma signs such as enlarged lymph nodes, spleen or other organs.
Positron emissions tomography (PET) scans to detect signs of cancer. PET scans are usually combined with low-resolution CT scans and are sometimes used in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

If you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, your provider may order laboratory tests to identify genes, proteins and other substances that are unique to specific non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.