Hi there!
I'm sorry you're feeling unwell!
Lymphoma, a kind of cancer, tends to present in the same fashion as
the flu or a bad cold or mono. Patients show the following symptoms:
-- Chills
-- Fever
-- Night sweats
-- Swelling of the lymph nodes
-- Itching
-- Fatigue
Most people who present with these symptoms do, in fact, have the flu
or a stubborn cold, or mono. Still, it's important to have a thorough
physical examination, just to be sure.
Your physician will look for several things in the course of your examination:
"If you have symptoms suggesting lymphoma, a complete physical
examination will be performed. During this examination, the doctor
will look for swollen lymph nodes under the chin, in the neck and
tonsil area, on the shoulders and elbows, under the arms, and in the
groin. The doctor will also examine other parts of the body to see
whether there is swelling or fluid in your chest or abdomen that could
be caused by swollen lymph nodes. You will be asked about pain and
examined for any weakness or paralysis that could by an enlarged lymph
node against nerves or the spinal cord. Your abdomen will be examined
to see whether any internal organs are enlarged, especially the
spleen.
If the doctor suspects after reviewing your symptoms and performing a
physical examination, he or she may order other tests help confirm the
diagnosis. These tests should include a biopsy, and may include blood
tests, x-rays and other imaging tests, scans, bone marrow evaluation,
and perhaps an examination of the cerebrospinal fluid. "
Learning About Lymphoma: What will the doctor look for during a
physical examination?
http://www.lymphoma.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lymphoma#symptoms
*If* your physician determines that your physical symptoms warrant
further investigation, you can expect a biopsy
[ http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/biopsy.htm ],
as well as any or all of the following tests (sites explaining these
tests are included):
-- X-ray
-- CT scan (CAT scan) [ http://science.howstuffworks.com/cat-scan.htm ]
-- MRI [ http://www.howstuffworks.com/mri.htm ]
-- Lymphangiogram [ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003798.htm ]
-- Gallium Scan [ http://www.lymphomainfo.net/tests/galliumscan.html ]
-- PET scan [ http://www.lymphomainfo.net/tests/pet.html ]
You may also have various blood tests, usually a CBC:
Complete Blood Count
http://www.medicinenet.com/Complete_Blood_Count/article.htm
You may also have:
Bone Marrow Examination
http://www.ranfac.com/patient.html
Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination (via lumbar puncture)
http://www.medicomm.net/Consumer%20Site/tp/tp_l8.htm
For more information about Lymphoma:
The Lymphoma Research Foundation
http://www.lymphoma.org/
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/
Lymphoma Information Network
http://www.lymphomainfo.net/
...though maybe shouldn't read those until AFTER you've seen your
doctor. It can be rather worrisome to read about a disease you're
afraid you might have. (On the other hand, it could be quite
informative - I read way too much about skin cancer while waiting for
my own test results to come back, and frightened myself half to death.
When the results came back positive, though, I was thorougly informed
and a lot less worried about treatment.)
I do hope you've scheduled your appointment to see your physician
already. Here's hoping it's just the flu, and wishing you a speedy
recovery.
--Missy
Search terms: [ lymphoma ] and the names of the tests. |
