How is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Diagnosed?

Medical tests are needed to diagnose and determine the stage of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Common tests include:

Physical exam—to check for swollen lymph nodes or other signs of disease
Blood tests—for example, tests to count your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (a type of blood cell that helps prevent or stop bleeding if you are injured)
Biopsy—suspicious lymph node or tissue is removed and viewed under a microscope to see if it is NHL
Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, or PET scans—these are pictures that help show where tumors are located
Flow cytometry—to find out how many of your cancerous B-cells have a certain surface marker and confirms the type of NHL. The cells are stained with a dye and placed in a fluid. Then, they are passed in a stream before a laser or other type of light. The test measures how the dyed cells react to the light

Using the information from these tests, the oncologist can help you or your loved one decide on how best to proceed.

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor any questions you have about your medical condition or your treatment.

Indications and Important Safety Information

RITUXAN^® (Rituximab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with:

Relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL as a single agent
Previously untreated follicular, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL in combination with CVP chemotherapy
Non-progressing (including stable disease), low-grade, CD20-positive, B-cell NHL, as a single agent, after first-line CVP chemotherapy
Previously untreated diffuse large B-cell, CD20-positive NHL in combination with CHOP or other anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens

People with serious infections should not receive RITUXAN.

Important Safety Information:

RITUXAN can cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including: infusion reactions, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; kidney failure due to fast breakdown of cancer cells), severe skin and mouth reactions, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML; a rare, serious brain infection).
RITUXAN has also been associated with serious and life-threatening side effects, including: the return of active hepatitis B virus infection with sudden and serious liver problems including liver failure, and death, other serious infections that can lead to death, heart problems, kidney problems, and stomach and serious bowel problems including blockage and tears in the bowel that can sometimes lead to death.
The most common side effects of RITUXAN seen in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were infusion reactions, fever, chills, low white blood cells, infections, body aches, and tiredness. Before starting treatment with RITUXAN it is important to talk to your doctor about your medical history.
Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects with RITUXAN. For more information, ask your doctor

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

Next Section NHL Stages