Biopsy - the First Step
Once a person is found to have enlarged lymph nodes – it must be tested to find out the cause. Sometimes, the doctor may prescribe some drugs called antibiotics that control infections. If the nodes are enlarged due to infection, they will reduce in size or disappear. If they persist, the best examination to find out the reason for the lumps is a lymph node biopsy.

Determining the Type of Lymphoma
Lymphoma is not one disease, but a group of nearly thirty different but related cancers. There are two main types of lymphoma – Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These two have a number of subtypes that can be quite different from each other.

Tests after Diagnosis
Once the diagnosis of lymphoma is confirmed, the oncologist will order a series of other tests. These tests are aimed at answering two main questions – how far has the lymphoma spread? And is the health status of the individual suitable for the treatment that is required?

Understanding the Stage and Prognosis of Lymphoma
The stage of a cancer is a way of measuring how advanced a cancer is. Lymphoma has four stages, and all the test reports will tell the oncologist what stage the cancer is in. The plan of treatment and the expected outcome (also called prognosis) depends on the stage of lymphoma. The prognosis depends not just on the stage of cancer but a number of other factors including the general health of the patient.