Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Learn about the Stages of Lymphoma

Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Learn about the Stages of Lymphoma
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Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a devastating medical condition that can often produce a number of symptoms. This condition is classified in multiple stages. The stages of lymphoma can determine the progression of the cancer in the body. The stages can help determine the prognosis of the condition as well.

Stages of Lymphoma

Lymphoma has multiple stages that are classified in two different categories. One classification for the stages of lymphoma is “E”. This is used when the cancer is found in tissues other than the lymph nodes or when the cancer has spread from the lymph nodes. The second category to classify the stages of the cancer is “S”. This is used when the cancer is located in the spleen.

Stage I

The first stage of lymphoma is broken into two categories. The first category is Stage I. This category for the first stage of the cancer occurs when the cancerous tissue is found only in one lymph node. The second category is Stage IE. This occurs when the cancer is found in other areas of the body other than just one lymph node.

Stage II

The second stage of the cancer is also divided into two categories. The first category is Stage II. This stage occurs when the cancer is located in at least two lymph node groups on one side of the diaphragm.

The second category of the second stage is Stage IIE. This stage of the cancer occurs when the cancer has spread from the lymph nodes to other lymph nodes and surrounding tissues, which occurs as the cancer progresses.

Stage III

The third stage of the cancer is divided into four categories. The first of the stage is Stage III. This occurs when the cancer is found in both groups of the lymph nodes located on both sides of the diaphragm.

The second in the category is Stage IIIE. During this stage, the cancer is found in the lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm. The cancer has also begun to spread to surrounding organs in the area.

Stage IIIS is the third category of this stage. This category involves the cancer affecting the lymph nodes on both sides of the diagram and has spread to the spleen.

The final category in this stage is Stage IIIS+E. This portion of the stage occurs after the cancer has spread from the lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm, the spleen and other surrounding organs.

Stage IV

This is the final stage of the cancer. The classification for this stage requires the cancer to be found in at least one organ other than the lymph nodes. This cancer may spread to other lymph nodes and organs further away from the origination of the cancer.

The stages of Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma can help determine which treatments may be necessary or the overall prognosis of the condition.

References

“Stages of Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma” May 6, 2008 WedMD.com