Mesothelioma Information - Stages

Mesothelioma Stages

Staging is the process of finding out how far the cancer has spread. Staging of mesothelioma is based on imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The treatment and outlook for patients with mesothelioma largely depends on the stage (extent of spread) of their cancer. Since pleural mesothelioma occurs most frequently and has been studied the most, it is the only mesothelioma for which a staging classification exists. The staging system most often used for mesothelioma is the Butchart system. This system is based mainly on the extent of the primary tumor mass, and divides mesotheliomas into stages I through IV. Patients in Stage I of the Disease have a significantly better prognosis than those with more advanced stage. However, due to the relative rarity of this mesothelioma, exact survival information based upon a stage is limited. Once malignant mesothelioma is found, more medical tests are usually performed to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This mesothelioma staging process is essential so that the doctors know the correct stage of the mesothelioma cancer in order to treat it effectively. A staging system based upon thoracic surgery principals and clinical data is shown below.


MESOTHELIOMA STAGES:

STAGE I : (LOCALIZED) Disease is confined within the capsule of the parietal pleura (ipsilateral pleura, lung, pericardium, and the diaphragm).
STAGE II: (ADVANCED) All of Stage I with the addition of intrathoracic(N1 or N2)lymph nodes.
STAGE III: (ADVANCED) Local extension of the disease into the following: chest wall or mediastinum, heart or through the diaphragm, peritoneum (with or without extrathoracic or contralateral (N3)lymph node involvement).
STAGE IV: (ADVANCED) Distant metastatic diseasprocess.
Localized Malignant Mesothelioma--see Stage I