Stages of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare cancer that is developed by the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos. It forms a cancer in the mesothelium membrane of different vital organs. If it forms in the membrane of the heart, it is referred to as pericardial. If it is in the lungs, it is pleural, while the abdomen is known as peritoneal. About 75% of all cases are pleural because inhaling the asbestos was the most common while 20% involved inhalation, this being peritoneal. The other 5% is reserved for pericardial, though very little is known about it as only 200 cases have ever been reported worldwide.
The stages of mesothelioma are used for doctors to be able to explain to the patient what their prognosis is. The stage will determine how far along the cancer cells have progressed and, in consideration of other factors, the treatment options that are available.
There are a few different staging systems used in order to determine what the stages of mesothelioma are. The Buchart system is the oldest, however it has been recently been replaced (in most cases) by the TNM system. The TNM system of staging considers the tumor mass, how much it has spread, the involvement of the lymph nodes and the mestasis, or the spread to other body parts.
In most cases, the symptoms are not seen until well after the mesothelioma has already been growing and dividing, making it difficult to diagnose. As a result, the stages of mesothelioma that the average patient is diagnosed with are higher.
Stage I does not involve the lymph nodes. Depending on the type of mesothelioma it is, either the right or left pleura will have been involved, or one side of the pericardium or diaphragm.
Stage II involved more spreading, including the nearby lymph nodes. It may have also begun to spread into the lung, the pericardium or the actual diaphragm.
Stage III has the mesothelioma into the chest wall, the heart, the abdomen or into other organs. It may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes on the same side as the primary tumor.
In Stage IV, the mesothelioma has spread to the opposite side of the primary tumor, either into the abdominal cavity, the heart or even possibly the neck. Mestasis, regardless of how distant, is also included within Stage IV.
The stages of mesothelioma will determine what the prognosis and treatment options are. There is no cure for mesothelioma, only ways to help extend the quality of life for a few more years. Only about 10% of patients live to see the five year mark after being diagnosed.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there may be options for you in the legal field. There is an 800 number and a form on this site that you can use to get some more information. A lawyer in your area may be willing to take your case and get you the financial compensation that you deserve.
