The biopsy (taking of a piece of tissue for microscopic analysis) of the enlarged lymph node gives the diagnosis. This is the only method of certain diagnosis and is always recommended.
Before performing the biopsy and before histological review, there must always be a differential diagnosis for any enlarged lymph node and this will include infecion and other benign and malignant causes. Therfore, there is absolutely no alternative to biopsy for the certain diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease.
