how were you diagnosed with lymphoma?

[fury6]

Usually doctors do a FNA or core needle and if it comes up suspicious they do an excisional biopsy.  my friend just needed the FNA and she was diagnosed with Hodgkins so some do not need an excisional.  How did you get diagnosed?

Ive had FNA, core needle, and flow cytometry.

[fury6]

no enlarged nodes in chest or stomach or pelvis either.

[fury6]

so far I've had these tests... A full body ct scan with contrast. A full blood panel with ldh and everything normal. A second ct scan with contrast of lower chest, stomach and pelvis. EKG and echocardiogram. Internal sonogram. An ultrasound guided FNA aspiration that went In all 4 layers of the node in my base of neck posterial triangle near supraclavicle area. After the FNA I had a core biopsy and the took a big chunk out with a 22 gauge needle than ran it through flow cytometry an immuno something. I've had 2 hemotologist examine me and an ENT. The 2 oncologists agree no more testing. I actually went to a doctor in NYU who was rated number 2 best hemotologist in the tristate area where 12,000 doctors voted for him. He is very well known. My ct scan was perfect except for the 4 nodes the largest being 1.5 x 1.9 cm. My biopsy wasnt even inconclusive at all. The core needle I hear is much more accurate. I've been to a total of 4 doctors for this my insurance isnt going to keep paying for all these opinions. My friend wasdiagnosed with hodkins lymphoma by FNA. My encologist was so confident I dont have cancer he canceled a pet scan ( they light up with infections to) he rather do a biopsy for amore definite answer than pet scan. What more should I do?

[Dennis MD]

Hi again.
What was the location of the lymph node that was biopsied?  What other tests were already done?
Fine needle aspiration biopsy may not be adequate.  There are instances when it yields a falsely negative result.  One instance is when the needle did not hit the actual site to be biopsied.
I suggest you undergo further examinations.  A chest x-ray may help rule out a possible lung problem that can contribute to the appearance of supraclavicular lymph nodes.  An evaluation by an ENT specialist may also be done to rule out any head and neck conditions that can result also in the appearance of supraclavicular lymph nodes.
Take care.        

[fury6]

wow thanks for responding I didn't think an actual doctor was going to answer my question I appreciate it. If you don't mind me asking I had a ct scan and 4 enlarged nodes were found. The largest being 1.5 x 1.9 cm. That was the node I had biopsied however I can feel a bunch of small supraclavicular lymph nodes and have had 2 hematologist look at it and explain that its normal and my biopsy would of picked up something strange. I worry sick about this everyday I am 23 years old. Should I get further tests done or just listen to my doctors who say to stop going to doctors I just have palpable nodes!  Blood work was perfect as well. I know the did both FNA and core biopsy with flow cytometry. I have read online FNA is inaccurate but I'm going by what you and my doctors said not by websites anyway. Thanks for listening.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Doing a biopsy will diagnose one as having lymphoma.  There are many ways of doing biopsy.  It can be done though fine needle aspiration biopsy, core needle biopsy, or excision biopsy.  Usually, a fine needle biopsy is enough to give a diagnosis.  However, there are instances when a fine needle biopsy specimen is not sufficient to give a diagnosis, hence other types of biopsy procedure can be requested.  One advantage of having an excision biopsy done is getting a bigger specimen for possible immunostaining especially if the diagnosis is not definite or unclear.
Hope this helps.