Diagnosis

DIAGNOSIS
  • Malignant lymphoma --replacement of normal lymph nodes by a uniform population of pleomorphic and bizarre lymphocytes.
  • A tissue core biopsy -- a node --excised for final confirmation.
  • Clinical staging is mandatory.
  • Clinical staging determines the extent of disease in the living animal.

Clinical staging done with

  • Radiography of the thorax and abdomen
  • Complete blood count and platelet count
  • Bone marrow aspirate and core
  • An ophthalmic exam,
  • Measurement of representative enlarged lymph nodes and
  • A biochemistry panel
  • Hypercalcemia associated with a parathyroid-hormone-like substance is observed in some dogs with malignant lymphoma. This is most often encountered in dogs with anterior mediastinal lymphoma and bone marrow involvement.
Last modified: Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 2:04 PM