False Negative?

Due to the nature of lymphoma as free-flowing lymphocytes in the human circulatory system, if it is present in one of those nodes, it would be in all of them, as they are interconnected. Malignant lymphocytes are free to flow throughout the body in the lymph, and do, leading a prominent hematologist to believe that there is no such thing as stage I lymphoma. He believes that up to a certain point, its spread remains undetectable with current technology. However, pathology is crucial, so requesting another lab perform further checking on those node biopsies is entirely appropriate. If you are in the states, an NCI designated comprehensive cancer center would be your primary choice for a second review of the tissue samples.  

especially when not seeing an oncologist. Based on my experience, which was nearly fatal, don’t mess around with doctors who are not in the oncology field. Over a 2-year period prior to my diagnosis I was treated for RA (which I didn’t have), gerd ( which I didn’t have), told the spots on my kidney were harmless “cysts”, the lump on my collarbone was a cyst caused by RA, told by a gp that my enlarged spleen and liver were “nothing to worry about, just fatty liver”. After an emergency room and overnight hospital visit while traveling and receiving a 4-liter blood transfusion,  due to my gerd so the physician said, I was told by my 30-year old GP that I should go on antidepressants and consider getting counseling. He said quite literally “ we have eliminated everything except lymphoma and you have great bloodwork so I am certain you do not have that. Learn to relax and enjoy life.“ My back hurt terribly. The next summer an orthopedic doctor did MRIs and told me they were normal. His PA, whom I had come to know very well, followed me into the hallway and whispered “you need to see an oncologist”. I followed her advice and was diagnosed immediately with Stage IV FNHL. It was small tumors but everywhere including in my bone marrow. The biopsy led to an 8 hour surgery and a long hospital stay (8 days). It was very traumatic. I came to trust no one in the medical profession. ALL my symptoms went away after my first treatment for lymphoma. No “cysts” on my kidneys, no swollen liver or spleen, no backache. I believe if I had amore aggressive lymphoma it would probably been diagnosed sooner. FNHL can be a silent killer.

Summary: be skeptical and get multiple opinions. FNHL, especially in its early stages, can be very hard to diagnose. GPs tend to dismiss you and prescribe antibiotics for most everything, orthopedists diagnose orthopedic problems, rheumatologists diagnose RA, etc. see an oncologist early on if you suspect lymphoma. Don’t mess around taking antibiotics multiple times. You can have excellent bloodwork and still have lymphoma. Just my non professional opinion. And never trust a physician who pulls out his/her PDR every time you see him/her. Experience counts.

Remember, I am not a doctor. This is my lay opinion.