Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It is a form of lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in the white blood cells called lymphocytes. The stage of Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer is determined by the presence or absence of certain factors, such as the size of the cancer, the spread of the cancer, and the type of cells affected.
Staging of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
The staging of Hodgkin's lymphoma is based on the Ann Arbor classification system. This system is divided into four main stages, Stage I through Stage IV. Each stage is divided further into subcategories, based on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other areas.
Stage I: The cancer is confined to one lymph node region, or a single organ or site outside of the lymph nodes.
Stage II: The cancer is present in two or more lymph node regions located on the same side of the diaphragm, or in an organ or site outside of the lymph nodes.
Stage III: The cancer is present in lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm, or in an organ or site outside of the lymph nodes.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to organs such as the bone marrow, liver, or lungs.
Substage Classification
Within each stage, there are further subdivisions known as substages. Substages are designated by the letters A through E, depending on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other areas.
A: The tumor is localized and small.
B: The tumor is larger than in A, or involves the spleen.
C: The tumor has spread to lymph nodes in different parts of the body.
D: The tumor has spread to the bone marrow or one organ outside of the lymph nodes.
E: The tumor has spread to two or more organs outside of the lymph nodes.
The stage and substage of a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis will help the doctor determine the best course of treatment for the patient.