PTCL Staging
PTCL Staging
Once peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is diagnosed, doctors do additional tests to find out how far the disease has spread. This process is called staging, and it helps guide treatment planning. Staging usually involves imaging with a PET/CT scan and, in some cases, a bone marrow biopsy.
Once peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is diagnosed, doctors do additional tests to find out how far the disease has spread. This process is called staging, and it helps guide treatment planning. Staging usually involves imaging with a PET/CT scan and, in some cases, a bone marrow biopsy.
Once peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is diagnosed,
doctors do additional tests to find out how far the disease
has spread. This process is called staging, and it helps
guide treatment planning. Staging usually involves
imaging with a PET/CT scan and, in some cases, a bone marrow biopsy.
Figure: A PET/CT scan is a full-body imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive sugar called FDG to
highlight areas where cancer cells may be active. Most T-cell lymphomas show up clearly on PET scans
because they are FDG-avid. Bright spots on the scan do not always mean cancer; they can also reflect normal activity or inflammation. That’s why a biopsy is always needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Figure: A PET/CT scan is a full-body imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive sugar called FDG to highlight areas where cancer cells may be active. Most T-cell lymphomas show up clearly on PET scans because they are FDG-avid. Bright spots on the scan do not always mean cancer; they can also reflect normal activity or inflammation. That’s why a biopsy is always needed
to confirm the diagnosis.
How it works
How it works
PTCL Stagging
PTCL is most often staged using the Lugano classification, which is the modern system used for most lymphomas. The Lugano system relies on PET/CT scans to give doctors a clear picture of the extent of the disease.
PTCL is most often staged using the Lugano
classification, which is the modern system used for most
lymphomas. The Lugano system relies on PET/CT scans
to give doctors a clear picture of the extent of the disease.
For practical purposes, stages are often grouped as:
Limited stage: Stages I and II
Advanced stage: Stages III and IV
It’s important to know that, unlike many solid tumors, even advanced stage PTCL is often initially treated with
the goal of cure. In most cases, treatment is aimed at eliminating the disease, not just controlling symptoms or slowing it down.
Stage I
Lymphoma in a single lymph node region or a single area outside the lymph nodes (called an extranodal site).
Stage II
Lymphoma in two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm, or in one extranodal site with nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III
Lymphoma in lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm, possibly including the spleen or a limited area outside the lymph nodes.
Stage IV
Lymphoma that has spread widely to one or more organs outside the lymph nodes (such as the bone marrow, liver, or lungs), with or without lymph node involvement.
Stage III
Lymphoma in lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm, possibly including the spleen or a limited area outside the lymph nodes.
Stage III
Lymphoma in lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm, possibly including the spleen or a limited area outside the lymph nodes.
Stage IV
Lymphoma that has spread widely to one or more organs outside the lymph nodes (such as the bone marrow, liver, or lungs), with or without lymph node involvement.
Stage IV
Lymphoma that has spread widely to one or more organs outside the lymph nodes (such as the bone marrow, liver, or lungs), with or without lymph node involvement.
Figure: A PET/CT scan is a full-body imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive sugar
called FDG to highlight areas where cancer cells may be active. Most T-cell lymphomas show up
clearly on PET scans because they are FDG-avid. Bright spots on the scan do not always mean
cancer; they can also reflect normal activity or inflammation. That’s why a biopsy is always needed
to confirm the diagnosis.
How it works
How it works
PTCl Stagging
PTCL is most often staged using the Lugano classification, which is the modern system used for most lymphomas. The Lugano system relies on PET/CT scans to give doctors a clear picture of the extent of the disease.
For practical purposes, stages are often grouped as:
Limited stage: Stages I and II
Advanced stage: Stages III and IV
It’s important to know that, unlike many solid tumors, even advanced stage PTCL is often initially treated with
the goal of cure. In most cases, treatment is aimed at eliminating the disease, not just controlling symptoms or slowing it down.
Stage I
Lymphoma in a single lymph node region or a single area outside the lymph nodes (called an extranodal site).
Stage II
Lymphoma in two or more lymph node regions on the same side of the diaphragm, or in one extranodal site with nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III
Lymphoma in lymph node regions on both sides of the diaphragm, possibly including the spleen or a limited area outside the lymph nodes.
Stage IV
Lymphoma that has spread widely to one or more organs outside the lymph nodes (such as the bone marrow, liver, or lungs), with or without lymph node involvement.
Related Reference
Related Reference
The Lugano Classification: Guidelines for Evaluation, Staging, and Response Assessment in Lymphomas
Cheson BD, et al. “Recommendations for initial evaluation, staging, and response assessment of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: the Lugano classification.” J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(27):3059-68.