How is Mantle Cell Lymphoma Diagnosed?

Diagnosing mantle cell lymphoma involves a combination of blood tests, bone marrow tests, and imaging tests:

Blood Tests:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): This common blood test measures the amount of various types of blood cells in a sample of your blood. In mantle cell lymphoma, the CBC may show anemia (a shortage of red blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (a shortage of platelets).
• Blood Chemistry Tests: These tests measure the levels of certain substances in your blood that can indicate how well your organs are functioning. Abnormal levels can suggest disease.
• Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Test: High levels of LDH in the blood can be a sign of tissue damage and rapid cell turnover, which can indicate the presence of lymphoma.
• Immunophenotyping: This test identifies cells based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cell. This test can help diagnose specific types of lymphoma by comparing the cancer cells to normal cells of the immune system.

Bone Marrow Tests:

• Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy: These two procedures are often done at the same time to examine the bone marrow. Bone marrow has both a solid and a liquid part. Aspiration removes a sample of the fluid with a needle. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of the solid portion. These tests can show if the lymphoma has spread to your bone marrow.
• Cytogenetic Analysis: This test looks at the chromosomes inside cells. Changes in the number or structure of chromosomes can help diagnose mantle cell lymphoma.
• Flow Cytometry: This test measures the number of cells in a sample and can identify the cells based on the types of antigens or markers on the surface of the cell. This test can help diagnose specific types of lymphoma.

Imaging Tests:

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: This test can help determine the stage (extent) of the lymphoma and whether it has spread to other organs.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: This test can help determine if the lymphoma is active and needs treatment, or if it is in remission (no signs or symptoms of disease).
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test can help determine the extent of the lymphoma and whether it has spread to the spinal cord or brain.

A Summary of Diagnosing Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Diagnosing mantle cell lymphoma involves a combination of blood tests, bone marrow tests, and imaging tests. Blood tests can show abnormalities in the number and type of blood cells or in the levels of certain substances in the blood. Bone marrow tests can show if the lymphoma has spread to the bone marrow. Imaging tests can show the extent of the lymphoma and whether it has spread to other organs. The results of these tests, along with the patient's symptoms and physical exam findings, are used to diagnose mantle cell lymphoma.

Want to Learn More About Mantle Cell Lymphoma?

Keep reading HealthTree for Mantle Cell Lymphoma's 101 pages!

• What Is Mantle Cell Lymphoma?
• How Long Will I Live With Mantle Cell Lymphoma?
• What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Mantle Cell Lymphoma?
• How Is Mantle Cell Lymphoma Staged And Classified?
• What Are Treatments For Mantle Cell Lymphoma?