How do doctors diagnose benign vs. malignant lymph nodes?
If your lymph nodes are swollen, your doctor will have to feel some of your lymph nodes and look for other signs and symptoms of illness.
Diagnostic testing
Diagnostic testing may include:
- blood tests to check for infection and underlying conditions
- imaging tests, such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound to get a better look at the lymph nodes
Doctors recommend a lymph node biopsy as the only way to know if your lymph nodes are benign versus malignant if:
- Physical examination and diagnostic testing can’t determine the cause.
- You’ve just been treated for cancer or you’re currently in treatment.
A biopsy involves collecting a sample of tissue from the lymph nodes. This can be done using a needle, or the lymph nodes can be removed during surgery. The tissue samples will be taken to a laboratory where a pathologist will use a microscope to look for cancer cells. A biopsy usually follows a cancer diagnosis, even if the lymph nodes appear normal. You can only know if the lymph nodes are malignant through biopsy. Results from a biopsy enable doctors to confirm and stage cancer, as well as determine the best treatment options.