The Stages of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma treatment is uniquely tailored for each patient. Often stage malignant mesothelioma diagnosis dictates the treatment options. Staging of certain diseases is also helping the medical team, not only in treatment planning but also in assessing prognosis and in the identification of existing clinical trials that the patient May be right. Three staging systems currently in use for pleural mesothelioma. No one is used for peritoneal mesothelioma.

knowledge of how the cancer develops is related to the process of staging. Certain staging systems cover only a specific cancer, while others can be used to cover various kinds. Some common elements found in most staging systems, namely, primary tumor location, tumor size, number of tumors, lymph nodes, histologic type, tumor grade and presence of metastases.

To determine the exact stage of any cancer, doctors usually rely on different techniques. This includes physical examinations, including imaging techniques roentgenograms, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans. Overview of patient blood, urine, serum and tissue biopsy can also provide useful clues. Tumor markers can also be used. Pathology reports were very helpful in providing information on the exact tumor size, tumor extension into adjacent structures, and tumor histology and grade. Surgical also reported to assist staging.

the most common cancer staging system is used for mesothelioma is the TNM (primary tumor, regional lymph nodes, distant metastases) system. Phase I is awarded only when the mesothelioma involves pleura, ipsilateral lung, ipsilateral pericardium, and ipsilateral diaphragm. Lymph nodes were unchanged. Phase II was assigned when the mesothelioma is already close to the hilar lymph nodes on the opposite side. lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the opposite side can also be included. Phase III is awarded when the mesothelioma has spread to include the chest wall, soft tissue, ribs, heart, esophagus and / or other organs in the thoracic cavity in the ipsilateral side. Lymph Nodes May or May not have spread to lymph nodes on the same side as the primary tumor. Phase IV is assigned when the disease has already spread to lymph nodes or the chest on the opposite side of the primary tumor extended to the opposite pleura, or spread to organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. The presence of distant metastases is considered Stage IV.

Butchart System is the oldest staging system for cancer. It is also the most commonly used staging system for all types of cancer. extent of primary tumor mass is the main foundation of this system. Phase I is awarded when the mesothelioma is located in any of the pleura, or the ipsilateral diaphragm. Phase II was assigned when the mesothelioma to spread to the chest, esophagus, heart, or pleura on both sides. lymph nodes in the chest may also be affected. Phase III is awarded when the mesothelioma is invaded and reached the diaphragm peritoneum. Lymph nodes outside the chest can also be included. Stage IV is assigned when there is evidence of distant metastases.

Brigham System is the latest system to be developed. Resectability and lymph nodes is the basis of this system. Phase I is awarded when the mesothelioma is still resectable, without the involvement of lymph nodes. Phase II was assigned when the mesothelioma is resectable but lymph nodes are involved. Phase III is awarded when the mesothelioma is unresectable, spread to adjacent structures of the chest, and May or May not have extrathoracic lymph node involvement. Stage IV is assigned when there are distant metastases.

Information gathered from the staging of these systems must be given to patients. Patients reserve the right to know the exact state of his illness and all the parties involved will benefit greatly if such disclosure is made.