This information is very important for planning treatment. The stage indicates where the disease has spread and how much tissue is affected. The doctor will check the number and location of affected lymph nodes and whether the disease has spread to the bone marrow or organs outside the lymphatic system, such as the liver. In staging, the doctor usually orders blood tests and X-rays of the chest, bones, liver and spleen. Other special tests include additional biopsies of the lymph nodes, bone marrow and other sites.
Many patients have lymphangiograms .
These are X-rays of the lymphatic system using a special dye to outline the lymph nodes and vessels. This is a series of X-rays put together by a computer to form pictures of various parts of the body. Ultrasonography may also be used. This test creates pictures of internal organs using echoes of high-frequency sound waves. Since treatment decisions are complex, a patient might want a second doctor to review the diagnosis and treatment plan before actually starting treatment.