Once a histologic study and the above-mentioned additional tests are done, your medical team will set out to classify the disease based on its location and where it is spreading to. Classification helps in planning and deciding on the most appropriate treatment.

  • Stage I: Only one region of lymph nodes or just one extranodal organ is affected
  • Stage II: Two or more regions of lymph nodes located on the same side of the diaphragm are affected.
  • Stage III: Regions of lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm are affected, which may include one extranodal regionor the spleen.
  • Stage IV: Spreading to one or more extranodal organs with or without involvement of the lymph nodes. One site of extranodal involvement and another affected lymph node distant from the aforementioned site. Bone-marrow involvement means the patient is considered Stage IV

After staging, the patient is examined to see if he or she has the following symptoms:

* Loss of over 10% of the patient's original body weight over the 6 months before diagnosis with no apparent reason

* Fever with no apparent reason (with body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius)

* Night sweating.