Hi,
I understand the frustration of undergoing an examination and getting results that are not definitive.
The biopsy has something called a diagnostic yield. In general, if you can get more tissue, then the chances of getting a diagnosis is higher. Hence, a fine needle biopsy, MAY be able to find lymphoma. So it can say that IT IS LYMPHOMA but the small amount of tissue may not be able to classify what kind of lymphoma. However, since the diagnostic yield is small, if the finding is negative and there is a strong suspicion that it may be lymphoma, the FNA cannot say IT IS NOT LYMPHOMA.
There are lymphomas that have a good chance at achieving cure, so stay positive and get the procedure done. The X-ray is not a good tool at measuring, it may be giving you some false reassurance, it may be better to get the CT now, if there are any changes then the plan for the mediastinoscopy may change.
Is mediastinoscopy safe and how long is recovery period?