Leukemia - Chronic Lymphocytic - CLL: Stages

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 10/2017

ON THIS PAGE: You will learn about how doctors describe the growth or spread of CLL. This is called the stage. Use the menu to see other pages.

Staging is a way of describing where the cancer is located, if or where it has spread, and whether it is affecting other parts of the body. Doctors use diagnostic tests to find out the cancer's stage, so staging may not be complete until all of the tests are finished. Knowing the stage helps the doctor to decide what kind of treatment is best and can help predict a patient's prognosis. There are different stage descriptions for different types of cancer.

There is a relationship between the stage of the CLL and the prognosis. In general, patients diagnosed at an earlier stage have better long-term survival. Importantly, however, there is a wide range of outcomes even for patients who have the same stage, and the stage alone cannot predict the prognosis with certainty for each person. If the CLL grows and worsens, the stage may change over time.

Below are explanations of commonly used staging and classification systems used by doctors to describe CLL.

Rai staging system

In this staging system, CLL is divided into 5 different stages, from 0 (zero) to IV (4). This staging system classifies the leukemia according to whether a patient has, or does not have, any of the following:

  • Lymphocytosis, which means there are high levels of lymphocytes in the blood

  • Lymphadenopathy, meaning a patient has enlarged lymph nodes

  • Splenomegaly, which is an enlarged spleen

  • Anemia, meaning low levels of red blood cells

  • Thrombocytopenia, meaning low levels of platelets

  • Hepatomegaly, which is an enlarged liver

Rai stage grouping

Stage 0: The patient has lymphocytosis with more than 5000 lymphocytes per microliter of blood, but no other physical signs.

Stage I: The patient has lymphocytosis and enlarged lymph nodes. The patient does not have an enlarged liver or spleen, anemia, or low levels of platelets.

Stage II: The patient has lymphocytosis and an enlarged spleen and/or liver and may or may not have swollen lymph nodes.

Stage III: The patient has lymphocytosis and anemia. The patient may or may not have swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged liver or spleen.

Stage IV: The patient has lymphocytosis and low levels of platelets. The patient may or may not have swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged liver or spleen, or anemia.

This chart summarizes the Rai stages.

Rai Stage High levels of lymphocytes Enlarged lymph nodes Enlarged spleen or liver Anemia Low levels of platelets

0

Yes

No

No

No

No

I

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

II

Yes

Yes or no

Yes

No

No

III

Yes

Yes or no

Yes or no

Yes

No

IV

Yes

Yes or no

Yes or no

Yes or no

Yes

Chart adapted from the American Society of Hematology, Kay et. al. 2002, vol. 1:193, Table 8.

Rai stage risk groups

Sometimes the phrase “risk group” is used to indicate the likelihood that the disease may worsen and require treatment.

Low risk: Rai stage 0

Intermediate risk: Rai stages I and II

High risk: Rai stages III and IV

Binet classification

European doctors use a different staging system, based on whether the CLL is found in the lymph nodes in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin area and whether the patient has low levels of red blood cells or platelets. The stages are called A, B, and C.

Stage A: The patient does not have anemia or low levels of platelets. The leukemia can be felt in fewer than 3 areas of lymph nodes (Rai stages 0, I and II).

Stage B: The patient does not have anemia or low levels of platelets. The leukemia is in 3 or more areas of lymph nodes (Rai stages I and II).

Stage C: The patient has anemia and/or low levels of platelets. The leukemia is in any number of lymph nodes (Rai stages III and IV).

This chart summarizes the Binet stages

Binet stage Number of enlarged lymph node areas Anemia Low levels of platelets
A

Less than 3

No

No

B

3 or more

No

No

C

Any number

Yes (or low platelets)

Yes (or anemia)

Chart adapted from the American Society of Hematology, Kay et. al.2002, vol. 1:193, Table 8.

Information about the leukemia’s stage will help the doctor recommend a specific treatment plan. The next section in this guide is Types of Treatment. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.