Indolent B-cell NHL is often asymptomatic (there are no symptoms). In this case, it may be discovered during a routine checkup. For example, a blood test may show something out of the ordinary. In other instances, there could be physical signs and symptoms that last for an unusually long time.
Common symptoms of indolent B-cell NHL may include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes/swollen glands
- Fevers and/or soaking night sweats
- Chills
- Itching
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained fatigue
Tests commonly used to diagnose indolent B-cell NHL include:
- —to check for swollen glands (lymph nodes)
- Biopsy—to confirm whether abnormal cells are in lymph nodes or other lymph tissues. A biopsy is the only way to positively diagnose NHL, to identify chromosomal abnormalities, and to find out if it is a B-cell or T-cell lymphoma (see biopsy)
- —to assess white blood cell counts and a substance called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which can become high from NHL
- —such as CT scan, MRI, and PET scan, to check for swollen lymph nodes or other signs of NHL
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After the diagnosis is made, the next step is to find out the stage of the disease. Your doctor may perform imaging tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, or PET scan. In addition, a bone marrow biopsy or spinal tap may be performed.
Based on the results of the tests, your doctor will classify the indolent B-cell NHL by one of the following stages:
In addition, your doctor may use the letters A, B, or E to further classify the stage of NHL.
- A means no symptoms are present (e.g., fever, chills, night sweats, itching, and weight loss)
- B means symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, itching, and weight loss are present
- E means involvement of a part of your body other than the lymph nodes
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