The answer to fully recovering from any type of cancer is receiving an early
diagnosis. Thus, it is important to recognize the signs of malignancies. The
first sign of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is generally a painful swelling in the
groin, underarm, or neck Individuals who experience neck swelling may assume
that the enlargement is due to a cold, infection, and so forth. However,
swelling that remains for several days should be examined by a doctor. As the
cancer progresses, other symptoms may include:
Fever
Nigh sweats
Weight loss
Skin rash
Fatigue
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, do not assume the worse. Other
conditions such as a bad cold or the flu produce similar indicators. Still,
these symptoms should be examined to rule out a more serious, potentially
life-threatening illness.
Diagnosing Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
In some instances, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is suspected during routine
physicals. Doctors will generally check for lumps or swelling. If a lump is
detected, patients will have to undergo a series of tests to determine the
culprit. Imaging tests such as X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI
are necessary because they provide detail pictures of the inside of the body.
Additional tests, such as a Lymphangiogram is intended to
provide images of the lymphatic system. A biopsy is necessary
in order to confirm non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. During a biopsy, tissue samples are
removed from the lymph nodes. These samples are examined by a pathologist for
signs of cancerous cells. Pathologists and physicians will classify lymphoma
based on microscopic findings. These finding will determine the rate of progression
or stage of non-Hodgkin's. This type of cancer is either aggressive (spreads
rapidly), or indolent (slow progressing).