Interesting question. I didn’t know I had lymphoma until I had a biopsy. My symptoms were experienced well before the biopsy; I just did not know what it was. So now that my lymphoma is confirmed, I am on “watchful waiting” for almost a year now. Problem is, I don’t know what to watch for but I still have to “wait”. I’m somewhat confused as to my role.

My husband had the same scenario. They thought his back pain was from his kidney stone He had a Ct.. He had some enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen. They removed the largest node with was lymphoma. It’s grade 3A. Follicular.

Thanks, Noreen2, My lymphoma was found due to a cscan for a kidney stone. It is behind some internal organs and Dr is hesitate to do a biopsy due to the risk of where the affected lymph node is located. I have no sypmtoms. I am find with waiting. My Dr is keeping a close watch on my. I was just wondering how long other people have waited before having a biopsy. Best wishes to you.

Hi Dolores, I had a Hämatologist that was against the watch and wait method based on past experiences with other patients. He recommended a biopsy, and then a PET/CT with full blood works for proper identification and staging. Been there. Done that. I was diagnosed with NLPHL. The removal of the Tumor (under the left axil) for examination, in addition to past symptoms, gave a better indication of estimated length of time of how long I may have had the cancer. For example, I started having problems breathing (hypoxia) in 2017. After the Tumor was discovered by accident via a thorax CT in 2022 and removed for biopsy, my breathing problems improved considerably. This connection including the improvement of other symptoms, led the doctor to assume the cancer may have been silently taking hold even before 2017. The removal of the tumor/enlarged lymph node is not a cure of course. Because other lymph nodes were enlarged in the area, with one indicating cancer via PET/CT he recommended immediate radiation therapy. He based his recommendation on other factors (age, etc.) and his estimate of how long I may have had it and not on staging alone.

If you are asking this question, then that means you are worried about the watch and wait approach. I say it does not hurt to have a biopsy and other tests for a bit more clarity to be able to make an informed decision as to what you feel would be the next best approach for you.

I found it helpful to work with a doctor that’s uses natural medicine instead of waiting for the lymphoma to get worse.