Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that can involve lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and many other organs.
When to get help quickly: Urgent review is more important if symptoms are rapidly worsening, breathing or swallowing is affected, severe pain develops, or spinal cord pressure is suspected.
Common symptoms
Symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, fevers, drenching night sweats, weight loss, tiredness, itching, or swelling depending on where the disease is active.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps when enlarged nodes or unexplained symptoms need investigation, and it is especially important for staging, treatment response, and follow-up.
What radiology does
CT, PET-CT, ultrasound, and MRI may be used for diagnosis support, staging, treatment response, and surveillance.
What usually happens next
Management depends on the lymphoma type and stage and may include chemotherapy, targeted treatment, radiation, or specialist hematology care.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
Related scan guides
- CT NeckA CT Neck scan uses X-rays and special computer processing to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the neck region. It helps doctors visualize the soft tissues, airway, blood vessels, glands, lymph nodes, and cervical spine bones.
- Octreotide Scan (Somatostatin Receptor Imaging)An octreotide scan uses a radioactive tracer that binds to somatostatin receptors — receptors found on neuroendocrine tumours. It helps locate, stage, and monitor tumours like carcinoid, pancreatic NETs, and paragangliomas.
- Whole-Body MRIA Whole-Body MRI scans the body from head to thigh in a single appointment. It is used to track cancer spread, monitor certain blood disorders, and as a screening test in people at high genetic risk of cancer. It uses no ionising radiation and often does not require contrast dye.