How do you test for lymphoma ?

Non-Hodgkin's test: Although a diagnosis of non-hodgkin's lymphoma can be suspected by certain lab results (ldh, spep, cbc, beta-2 microglobulin) or radiology tests (ct or pet scan), there is no way to diagnose it without doing a biopsy (of a lymph gland or the bone marrow or the affected organ).

Biopsy: In order to make the diagnosis, you have to get a piece of tissue for the pathologist to make the diagnosis. There are many other types of lymphomas that require very different chemotherapies. Imaging and clinical picture can lead you to suspect a lymphoma, but obtaining tissue is mandatory. Also, there are many reasons for enlarged lymph nodes that are not cancer (infection, for example).