• The lymph system encompasses the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. The network of organ and tissue produce and transport white blood cells to fight infections and other illnesses. Lymph node or lymphatic cancer is also known as lymphoma and composes about 5% of the yearly reported total of cancer cases. Lymphoma most commonly strikes males 15 to 34 and over 55.
  
  

Staging

• Lymphoma is classified into four stages, depending on the results of blood work, physical exams and radiography tests. Doctors examine tumors for size, presence of metastasis, location, cell type and grade, which is how closely the cancerous cells resemble surrounding healthy tissue.
  
  

Stage 1

• With stage 1 lymphoma, only one lymph node group above the diaphragm contains cancerous cells. About 70% of patients survive longer than 5 years with no relapse.
  
  

Stage 2

• At stage 2, at least two lymph nodes contain cancerous cells but it have not spread beyond one side of the diaphragm. You can also have stage 2 contiguous lymphoma, meaning the tumors are in close proximity. The 5-year survival rate is 51 percent.
  
  

Stage 3

• At stage 3, cancerous cells have invaded two or more lymph groups, and they are on both sides of the body, above and below the diaphragm. About 43 percent of stage 3 patients will survive longer than 5 years.
  
  

Stage 4

• Stage 4 lymphoma is the most severe. Several lymph nodes contain tumors. One or more organs are diffuse with tumors, meaning there is little distinction between the cancer cell and original tissue. Lymphoma has usually spread into distant nodules and has started invading other tissue, such as bone marrow. Prognosis is poor, with only 26 percent of those diagnosed at stage 4 living at least 5 years.