You know your lymphoma stage through a series of tests—like scans (CT, PET), blood tests, and biopsies—that map the cancer's spread, determining if it's in one area (Stage 1), multiple nodes on one side of the diaphragm (Stage 2), nodes on both sides (Stage 3), or outside the lymph nodes (Stage 4), which helps your doctor plan treatment.
Stage 3 lymphoma means cancer has spread to lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm and possibly nearby organs. Symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss should be reported to a healthcare provider. If you're diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma, treatment will be decided by the type of lymphoma you have.
Stage 1 lymphoma – Cancer is found in one lymph node, a lymphoid organ such as the thymus or one area of a single organ outside of the lymphatic system. Stage 2 lymphoma – Cancer is found in two lymph nodes (both on the same side of the diaphragm) or extends from one lymph node into a nearby organ.
As the disease progresses, symptoms may become more severe or widespread: Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. Feeling of fullness in the abdomen due to an enlarged liver or spleen. Coughing or shortness of breath, often caused by enlarged lymph nodes in the chest.
Common symptoms of having lymphoma include swelling of lymph nodes in your neck, in your armpits or your groin. This is often but not always painless and often could be associated with fevers, or unexplained weight loss, or drenching night sweats, sometimes chills, persistent fatigue.
The lumps may be confined to one area of the body, such as the neck, or develop in multiple areas, such as the neck, armpits and groin. Lymphoma lumps have a rubbery feel and are usually painless. While some lymphoma lumps develop within a matter of days, others can take months or even years to become noticeable.
At stage 1, lymphoma affects only one lymph node region or one site outside of the lymph nodes. Stage 2 lymphoma. A stage 2 lymphoma involves two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm.
“Aggressive lymphomas grow and spread quickly, and can cause significant damage to tissue and organs. Because they are fast-growing, they are most commonly associated with what's known as 'B' symptoms. Indolent lymphomas, on the other hand, are slow-growing.
NHL most often affects adults, but children can get it too. See Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children. NHL usually starts in lymph nodes or other lymph tissue, but it can sometimes affect the skin.
The most common symptom of lymphoma is a painless swelling or lump in the neck, armpit or groin. This is caused by lymphoma cells building up in the lymph nodes, which makes them bigger.
Indolent lymphoma tends to grow and spread slowly, and has few signs and symptoms. Aggressive lymphoma grows and spreads quickly, and has signs and symptoms that can be severe. The treatments for indolent and aggressive lymphoma are different.
Lymphoma often becomes terminal at stage 4. During this stage, it has spread to further areas of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or bone marrow. This is considered the most advanced form of lymphoma and can lead to complications that can turn fatal, including serious infections and liver damage.
A diagnosis of lymphoma is confirmed by tissue biopsy, and commonly used methods include fine-needle aspiration, core biopsy, incision/wedge biopsy, and excisional biopsy. Excisional biopsy is considered the "gold standard" as it allows for the assessment of whole lymph node architecture.
Find out more about staging cancer.
Lymphoma's exact cause is often unknown, but it starts with DNA damage in white blood cells (lymphocytes), leading to uncontrolled growth, with risk factors including weakened immune systems (due to diseases or immunosuppressant drugs), certain viral/bacterial infections (like Epstein-Barr, HIV, H. pylori), family history, exposure to specific chemicals (benzene, pesticides), and sometimes radiation. These factors can trigger the genetic changes that turn normal lymphocytes cancerous.
Stage 3. More than 85 out of 100 people (more than 85%) will survive for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
If Hodgkin lymphoma spreads, it usually spreads first to nearby lymph nodes, and then to the spleen, liver, or bone marrow.
Common signs and symptoms of lymphoma
Both CLL and SLL are usually slow-growing (indolent) lymphomas, although CLL, which is much more common, tends to grow more slowly. Treatment is the same for CLL and SLL. These lymphomas are usually not curable, but because they tend to grow slowly, they often don't need to be treated when they are first found.
While stress can impact overall health, there is no direct evidence linking stress alone to the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The disease's causes are multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and immune system factors.
Exercise and Nutrition. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for lymphoma patients as well as their caregivers. Regular physical activity helps keep the cardiovascular system strong and body muscles flexible. Exercise can also help alleviate breathing problems, constipation, and mild depression.
The overall 5-year relative survival rate for people with NHL is 74%. But it's important to keep in mind that survival rates can vary widely for different types and stages of lymphoma.
Early (limited) stage Hodgkin lymphoma
Early stage generally means stage 1 or 2 lymphoma with no risk factors. It is also called early stage favourable Hodgkin lymphoma. For early stage Hodgkin lymphoma, you usually have 2 cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.
It depends on factors like the specific subtype of Hodgkin's lymphoma, the stage at which it is diagnosed and how aggressively it behaves. Some cases may progress slowly over a period of months or even years, while others can spread more rapidly.
There are lots of different types of lymphoma. Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) are slow-growing types that usually develop from abnormal B lymphocytes (B cells). Lymphoma can develop anywhere in your body, so there are many different possible symptoms.