Stages and classification
After the diagnosis of lymph gland cancer has been made, a so-called staging is performed on each patient. This is a stage classification that indicates which areas of the body are affected by the disease and how far the disease has already spread. Staging also includes whether there are already distant metastases.
The therapy chosen depends on the staging. The so-called Ann-Arbor classification has become generally accepted for the staging of lymph gland cancer: The letters A and B are assigned to each stage. They make it clear whether other general symptoms such as fever, weight loss and night sweats are present.
If these symptoms are present (also known as B symptoms), this corresponds to subgroup B; if they are not present and the patient is symptom-free, this corresponds to subgroup A. Subgroup B usually has a slightly worse prognosis. Once the diagnosis has been made, primary staging is performed. It is valid during the entire treatment and is updated if there are changes in the course of the disease.In the best case scenario, a patient may slip into a smaller stage if the tumor is contained or he may slip into a higher stage if the treatment does not have the desired success and the tumor continues to spread.
- Stage I: Only one lymph node region is affected or a finding that lies outside the lymph node system.
- Stage II: 2 or more lymph node stations are affected The affected regions are located on the same side of the diaphragm (i.e. in the chest area and above or in the abdominal area and below). Herds outside the lymph node system may also occur.
- Stage III: 2 or more lymph node regions are affected and affected lymph nodes are located on both sides of the diaphragm (i.e. in the chest, abdomen and pelvis).
- Stage IV: In this stage the malignant cells have already left the lymphatic system and have attacked another organ completely independent of the lymphatic system. Such a metastasis and spreading of cancer cells is called (distant) metastasis. An infestation of the lung or liver would therefore correspond to stage IV.
