In order to determine the best treatment, doctors need to know the stage of the lymphoma.

In order to stage lymphoma, two variables are determined:

• The type of cells that are multiplying in the lymph nodes
• Whether the lymphoma has spread to other lymph nodes or other organs

Most people with lymphoma are staged using the Ann Arbor system. This includes stages 1-4 (I-IV), along with certain letters that represent other factors.

The letter system includes:

• A: no symptoms
• B: symptoms of fever, night sweats or weight loss
• E:spread to one site nearby, but outside of affected lymph nodes
• X: bulky disease larger than 10 cm

Stage 1
In stage 1 (I), the lymphoma is present only in a single site, such as a lymph node.
Stage 2
In stage 2 (II), the lymphoma is present in 2 or more lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm, or in a single organ outside of the lymph nodes.
Stage 3
In stage 3 (III), the lymphoma is present on both sides of the diaphragm, with or without involvement of the spleen or other organs.
Stage 4
In stage 4 (IV), the lymphoma is present in multiple organs.