Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin disease)

Stages

If you're diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, the next step is to determine the cancer's extent, called the stage. Imaging tests, blood tests and biopsies may be used to determine the stage of your Hodgkin lymphoma. Your healthcare team uses the cancer stage to help create your treatment plan.

The stages of Hodgkin lymphoma range from 1 to 4:

• Stage 1 lymphoma. At stage 1, Hodgkin lymphoma affects only one lymph node region.
• Stage 2 lymphoma. A stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma involves two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm.
• Stage 3 lymphoma. At stage 3, Hodgkin lymphoma involves lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm.
• Stage 4 lymphoma. At stage 4, Hodgkin lymphoma involves regions outside of the lymph nodes.

Hodgkin lymphoma stages also may include the letters A and B. The letter A means that you don't have worrying symptoms of lymphoma. The letter B means that you have some symptoms, such as drenching night sweats, fever or weight loss.