visiting your GP (family doctor)
Your GP will examine you and arrange for any necessary tests such as a blood test. There may be a number of reasons why you're feeling unwell, so it can be difficult to immediately diagnose the problem. If they can't find the cause, you'll be referred to a specialist at the hospital.
at the hospital
Where you're referred to will depend on the results of the tests. You may go straight to a doctor or hospital specialising in lymphomas, or you may see doctors with more general experience first.
If you're diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and not already seeing a specialist, you will be referred to one. You'll probably see a lot of doctors.
The hospital doctor will also examine you and arrange for more detailed tests, a variety of which may be needed to diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This may include a biopsy, which involves an operation to remove a small sample of the swollen gland for analysis in the lab. This operation is carried out under general anaesthetic where you're put to sleep.
Doctors will often carry out what's called a lumbar puncture. This takes a sample from the fluid in the spine to check whether there are NHL cells in the fluid (cerebro-spinal fluid) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Further tests are often carried out to pinpoint the exact size and location of the tumour, and to see if it has spread. These tests could include:
You won't necessarily need all of these - and further tests will often depend on the results of your first ones.
Waiting for test results can be a scary time, but understanding a little about them - what will happen, how you'll feel and when you'll get the results - can help you cope.
If it is cancer, you might need a few more tests to check how your body is working in general. These could be blood tests, or tests looking at your heart (an echo-cardiogram or electrocardiogram - ECG), or a test to check your kidneys (urine collection).
This may seem like a lot of tests, but they are necessary to help the doctors provide the right treatment for you.
