Lymphoma Stages
Understanding the stages of lymphoma is crucial in determining the severity of the disease. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Once the necessary information is gathered, the doctor can identify the specific type and then proceed to determine the stage of the cancer.
Both Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma have four sub-stages. In Stage I, there is evidence of cancer in either a single infected lymph node or a specific part of one organ. Moving on to Stage II, the cancer has either spread from a lymph node to an organ or has affected two or more lymph node areas.
Stage III denotes the presence of cancer in nodes on both sides of the diaphragm or in both areas above the diaphragm and the spleen. Finally, Stage IV, the most advanced stage, indicates that the cancer has spread to one or more organs beyond the lymphatic system, such as the liver or lungs.
Understanding the Various Stages of Lymphoma
Aside from Stage I and Stage IV, lymphoma can be further classified into several other stages. In the case of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it can be categorized as Stage II, Stage IIE, Stage II Bulky, or Stage III. Stage II is characterized by the presence of two lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm. On the other hand, Stage IIE indicates that the lymphoma has spread to an organ along with its lymph nodes. Stage II Bulky, on the other hand, encompasses both Stage II and Stage IIE, but also involves the presence of a mass in the chest. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can also be diagnosed as IIE, signifying its specific characteristics.