Presenting symptoms of lymphomas depend in part upon the type of lymphoma. The doctor may notice enlargement of the spleen or liver on physical examination of the abdomen. Lymph node biopsy is used for definitive diagnosis. CT-scanning of the chest and abdominal CT can give the physician additional clues for diagnosis. In some cases, the spleen may need to be surgically removed for staging purposes.
Treatment is dependent upon the type and extent of the lymphoma.
Surgery is rarely curative. Radiation therapy has been used successfully to destroy the cancer cells in the lymph nodes that are more localised in one area of the body. It is also useful in combination with chemotherapy in more extensive lymphomas. Some of the less aggressive types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas may not result in a complete cure, but long term periods of successful controlled illness can be expected, especially in older patients. The Hematologist is the expert in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.