Lymph Node Biopsy: Results
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Results
A lymph node biopsy removes lymph node tissue to be looked at under a microscope for signs of infection or a disease, such as cancer. Test results from a lymph node biopsy are usually available within a few days. Finding some types of infections may take longer.
The lymph node sample is usually treated with special dyes (stains) that color the cells and make problems more visible.
| Normal: | The lymph node has normal numbers of lymph node cells. |
|---|---|
| The structure of the lymph node and the appearance of the cells in it are normal. | |
| No signs of infection are present. | |
| Abnormal: | Signs of infection, such as mononucleosis (mono) or tuberculosis (TB), may be present. |
| Cancer cells may be present. Cancer may begin in the lymph node, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma, or may have spread from other sites, such as in metastatic breast cancer. |
| Last updated: | May 01, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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