Is whole node biopsy recommended instead of open node biopsy?

I should mention I have generalized lymphadenopathy in neck, axillary, behind knees and on my elbows. They have been enlarged for 4 months. They are non-tender but I get a sense of achiness in my neck nodes. I have had negative CT,FNA biopsy,and blood work.

I'm not familiar with the term "open node biopsy". But no matter, I can tell you that if the concern is over whether a node is cancerous or not, the only broadly accepted diagnostic test is an excised or wholly removed lymph node. None of the tests thus far are considered accurate indicators of lymphoma, not CT, nor FNA, in fact FNA is no longer considered acceptable in terms of reaching an accurate diagnosis, though it used to be. Blood work is indirect and nothing in a complete blood panel or a metabolic panel for that matter will indicate lymphoma. There are some numbers that may indirectly suggest some inflammation, but they could be elevated on account of your generalized lymphadenopathy.

So having just looked up open node biopsy, I don't see a difference between whole node and open node biopsy--either way the doc is removing a lymph node for biopsy, except in open node it appears that sometimes only part of the node is removed, other times the whole thing is removed.

You have hundreds of lymph nodes in your body. Losing one is not a big deal, especially when docs suspect it is cancerous and you and everyone needs clarification and certainty so you can move ahead with your life.

Again, removal of an entire lymph node is now standard treatment according to the NCCN in terms of arriving at a diagnosis.