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How Is Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Staged And Classified?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is staged using the Ann Arbor staging system, which is based on the extent of the disease in the body. This system classifies non-Hodgkin's lymphoma into four stages:
- Stage I: The cancer is limited to one lymph node region or a single organ.
- Stage II: The cancer is in two or more lymph node regions, or it has extended from a lymph node into a nearby organ.
- Stage III: The cancer is in lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm, or it has spread to another part of the body such as the liver, lungs, or bone marrow.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread widely into at least one organ outside of the lymph system.
Each stage can also be classified as "A" or "B".
- "A" means the patient does not have any significant symptoms.
- "B" means the patient may have significant symptoms such as fever, night sweats, or weight loss.
Classification of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is also classified based on the type of lymphocyte (a type of white blood cell) the cancer starts in, the cell characteristics, and the specific genetic changes in the lymphoma cells. The main types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma include B-cell lymphomas and T-cell lymphomas.
- B-cell lymphomas make up about 85% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases in the United States. They include: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and others.
- T-cell lymphomas are less common. They include peripheral T-cell lymphomas, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, and others.
Phases of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
The phases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma typically refer to the stages of the disease, from stage I to stage IV. However, the course of the disease can also be divided into three phases: the diagnostic phase, the treatment phase, and the follow-up phase.
- The diagnostic phase involves tests and procedures to confirm the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and determine the stage of the disease.
- The treatment phase involves therapies to kill or control the cancer cells.
- The follow-up phase involves regular check-ups to monitor the patient's condition and manage any side effects of treatment.