The staging tests will show which parts of the body are affected by the Lymphoma.

Before a decision is made about the treatment for you, your doctor will also take into account your general health and wheather you have other symptoms such as weight loss or fever.

Lymphoma is graded Stage 1-4, depending on the extent of the cancer.

Stage 1:

One group of lymph nodes is affected.

Stage 2:

Two or more groups of lymph nodes are affected. The disease is on one side of the diaphragm.

Stage 3:

Lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm are involved. For example, the chest and the abdomen.

Stage 4:

The Lymphoma has spread to organs outside the lymphatic system. For example the liver.

As well as giving each stage a number, doctors also use a letter code - either A or B, to indicate symptoms such as fever, sweats or weight loss. If you have no symptoms your disease will be classified as A and if you have symptoms, it is classified as B.

Ask you doctor or nurse if you need more information. He or she will explain the different satges of Lymphoma in more detail.

It will take about a week for all the test results to come back.

It can be an anxious time for you. It may help to talk things over with a relative or a close friend.

In Ireland, you may like to call the Cancer Helpline, Freefone 1800 200 700 to speak to one of the specially trained nurses.