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Explanation of mesothelioma stages
By Eden Ali | July 6, 2007
Options of mesothelioma treatment are mostly ascertained by the mesothelioma stage in mesothelioma patients. The systems of staging are 3 in number which are currently used for pleural mesothelioma patients and each system gives a totally different result. Note: peritoneal mesothelioma is not staged.
The Butchart system is the mostly used, and oldest staging system which is depended solely on the spead of the mesothelioma cancers and this separates them into four stages. The recent system of TNM gives a consideration variables in the spread and the mass, involvement of the lymph node, and metastasis. The latest system is the Brigham System and this puts mesothelioma stages based on their resectability.
Butchart System – primary tumor mass extent
Stage I: There is the presence of mesothelioma in the left of right pleura and the diaphragm may also be involved on that same side.
Stage II: There is invasion of the chest wall by mesothelioma cancers or pleura may be involved on the two sides. There may be an involvement of the lymph nodes also.
Stage III: There have been penetration of the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity lining or peritonium by the mesothelioma cancers. There may also be the involvement of the lymph nodes after the ones in the chest.
Stage IV: Metastasis is evident or there is a spread through some organs or the bloodstream.
TNM System - variables of T (tumor), N (lymph nodes), M (metastasis)
Stage I: In pleural mesothelioma cancers, there is involvement of the left or right which could have also spread to the pericardium, lung, or diaphragm on that very side. There is no involvement of lymph nodes.
Stage II: In pleural mesothelioma, it could have spread to other nearby lymph nodes close to the lung on that very side. There could have been a spread to other organs on that very side.
Stage III: Mesothelioma patients now have the cancer in their chest wall or other organs around the chest on the very side.
Stage IV: Pleural mesothelioma patients now have the spread in the lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest, or could have extended to the lung on the opposite side.
Brigham System: (variables of tumor resectability and nodal status)
Stage I: Resectable mesothelioma and lymph node is not involved.
Stage II: Resectable mesothelioma but lymph node is involved.
Stage III: Unresectable mesothelioma spreading into the wall of the chest or other organs, irrespective of lymph node involved.
Stage IV: Distant metastatic disease.
Topics: Mesothelioma treatment ways |