The Staging of Hodgkin's Disease

The interpretation of the clinical status of Hodgkin's disease is based on the histology of the involved node, the patient's age and sex, the anatomic extent of the disease, and the presence or absence of systemic symptoms. The necessary survey of the patient at the time of diagnosis includes symptomatic history, complete physical examination, laboratory studies, and X-ray examinations including lymphangiography. The usual stagings of Hodgkin's disease are: Stage I, localized disease; Stage II, regional disease above or below the diaphragm; Stage III, disease both above and below the diaphragm; and Stage IV, extranodal disease. Subtype A refers to the absence, and B to the presence, of symptoms. Accurate staging is of importance in suggesting prognosis, determining the most effective forms of treatment, and in providing a basis for comparison of the clinical experiences of different clinics.