Will a ct scan with contrast show indolent non-hodgkin's lymphoma, if the cancer is currently dormant at the time of the scan? can cancer be detected by ct scan, even if it's not actively growing at the moment?

CT scan does not make the diagnosis of lymphoma, it only reveals abnormal lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) or enlarged visceral organs such as enlarged spleen with some suspicious features. The diagnosis has to be based on pathology, usually by a node resection or biopsy.

Diagnosis of lymphoma requires the removal of a lymph node examination of the tissue by a pathologist.