Stages of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The following stages are used for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

• Stage I: Lymphoma cells are found in only one lymph node area or in only one area or organ outside the lymph nodes.
• Stage II: Either of the following means that the disease is stage II:
  • Lymphoma cells are found in two or more lymph node areas on the same side of the sheet of muscle (diaphragm) that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.
  • Lymphoma cells are found in only one area or organ outside the lymph nodes and in the lymph nodes around it. Other lymph node areas on the same side of the diaphragm may also contain lymphoma cells.
• Stage III: Lymphoma cells are found in lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm. The cancer may also have spread to an area or organ near the lymph node areas or to the spleen.
• Stage IV: Either of the following means that the disease is stage IV.
  • Lymphoma cells have spread to more than one organ or to organs outside the lymph system. Lymphoma cells may or may not be found in the lymph nodes near these organs.
  • Lymphoma cells have spread to only one organ outside the lymph system, but lymph nodes far away from that organ are involved.