Stages of Hodgkin lymphoma

The most commonly used staging system for Hodgkin lymphoma is described here:

• Stage 1 One group of lymph nodes is affected.
• Stage 2 Two or more groups of lymph nodes are affected on the same side of the diaphragm (the sheet of muscle underneath the lungs).
• Stage 3 Lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm are affected.
• Stage 4 The lymphoma has spread outside the lymph nodes to organs such as the liver, bones or lungs.

Stages 1-2 are known as early-stage disease and stages 3-4 are known as advanced-stage disease. If the Hodgkin lymphoma comes back after initial treatment, this is called recurrent lymphoma|.

As well as giving each stage a number, doctors use a letter - either A or B - to show whether or not you have certain symptoms. Your doctor will ask you if you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, have unexplained high temperatures or drenching night sweats. If you don’t have any of these symptoms, your illness will have the letter A next to the stage, (eg stage 1A). If you have one or more of these symptoms, it will have the letter B next to the stage (eg stage 1B)