CTCL Stages

Your healthcare professional determines the stage of your condition. Different tests determine some of the later CTCL (Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma) stages.

The stages of CTCL range from IA to IVB:

Stage I

Stage IA: Less than 10% of the skin surface is covered with patches and/or plaques.

Stage IB: Ten percent or more of the skin surface is covered with patches and/or plaques.

Stage II

Stage IIA: Any amount of the skin surface is covered with patches and/or plaques. Lymph nodes are enlarged but cancer has not spread to them.

Stage IIB: One or more tumors are found on the skin. Lymph nodes may be enlarged but cancer has not spread to them.

Stage III

Stage III: Nearly all of the skin is reddened and may have patches, plaques, or tumors. Lymph nodes may be enlarged but cancer has not spread to them or to any other organs. Cancer cells are circulating in the blood.

Stage IV

Stage IVA : Any amount of the skin surface is covered with patches, plaques, and/or one or more skin tumors. Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, and the lymph nodes may be enlarged. No organ involvement.

Stage IVB : Any amount of the skin surface is covered with patches, plaques, and/or one or more skin tumors. Cancer has spread to other organs in the body. Lymph nodes may be enlarged and cancer may have spread to them or to other organs.

"B" Classification

Stages of CTCL may also have a “B” classification. This depends on how many abnormal lymphocytes [LIM-foh-sites] are found in the blood.