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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Why Does A Lab Work Not Able To Diagnose Hodgkin Lymphoma?

I'm a 52 yr old male. Went to hospital for for "neck mass" on left side. Ct scan of neck show enlarged lymph nodes. Hematology work-up only show slight increase in Monocytes. 18% vs 1-12% regarded as normal, with the comment of enlarged platelets present near the PLT sufficiency indicator. Urinalysis indicated blood at 2, all others normal or within range. General chemistry indicated all within normal range. Yet today, I received biopsy results of Hodgkin lymphoma. Why doesn't the lab work indicate problems?
Mon, 1 Sep 2014
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hi!
welcome to HCM!
Blood test is probably the first test that is done. The problem though is that we cannot diagnose lymphoma by a blood test. All we can do is review the results and see if "something" appears to be wrong. Lymphoma circulates within the lymph system and not the blood system so detecting lymphoma by a simple blood test is extremely unlikely. What we can detect however is abnormal blood counts which simply gives them a clue to look for a cause which is very rarely found.Lymphoma is diagnosed in aFNAC and if required followed by a biopsy.
hope this helps!
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Why Does A Lab Work Not Able To Diagnose Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Hi! welcome to HCM! Blood test is probably the first test that is done. The problem though is that we cannot diagnose lymphoma by a blood test. All we can do is review the results and see if something appears to be wrong. Lymphoma circulates within the lymph system and not the blood system so detecting lymphoma by a simple blood test is extremely unlikely. What we can detect however is abnormal blood counts which simply gives them a clue to look for a cause which is very rarely found.Lymphoma is diagnosed in aFNAC and if required followed by a biopsy. hope this helps!