Stage 1 Mesothelioma
When determining the extent and nature of any kind of cancer - which in turn, plays a large part in designing an appropriate cancer treatment -
oncologists use a rubric or "staging" system. This is only one of the
criteria by which malignancies are classified, the first of which is
determined by the location of the tumor and the third of which is
determined by the cellular structure (or lack thereof).
Staging
assists the oncologist in determining how far the cancer has advanced
and how treatable the patient's malignancy really is.
Although there are three distinct staging systems currently in use, all three are based on four primary stages:
- The tumor is confined to one organ or region and is relatively small.
- The tumor has grown in size, and has spread to one other tissue.
- The tumor has spread to adjacent areas.
- The tumor has spread to distant areas of the body, or "metastasized."
Butchart System
This is the oldest system used by oncologists, and is used only for patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis of
the pleural form. In Stage 1 under the Butchart System, the tumor is
relatively small and confined to one side of the lung cavity; it may
also be present on the diaphragm on the same side.
TNM System
TNM stands for Tumor, Lymph Nodes, and Metastasis. This is a newer method which is usually employed for staging malignant pleural mesothelioma, although it is also used for other types as well including peritoneal mesothelioma.
Under this system, the mesothelioma cancer is
located on one side or the other, and may also be present on the
diaphragm as well as the pericardium (lining of the heart). It is
however not present in the lymph nodes.
Brigham System
This
is the newest staging system, which was developed especially for use
with mesothelioma diagnosis. Under Stage 1 of the Brigham system, the
cancer is operable and lymph nodes remain unaffected.
Prognosis
The main problem for mesothelioma patients is that historically, their condition is not detected until it has reached Stage 3 mesothelioma or Stage 4 mesothelioma - by which time it is too late to offer anything other than palliative treatments.
One
ray of hope lies in the new MESOMARK™ diagnostic test recently approved
for use in the U.S. by the FDA. This test was developed by a Japanese
biotech firm and is reportedly able to detect the early biological
markers of mesothelioma when it is most treatable and has the best
chances for a mesothelioma cure. When the disease is caught at Stage 1, the cancerous tissue can usually be removed with mesothelioma surgery; mesothelioma radiation and chemotherapy treatments are used to follow up in order to get rid of any traces of malignancy.
Stage 2
Mesothelioma
When determining the extent and nature of any kind of cancer including
mesothelioma - which in turn, plays a large part in designing an
appropriate course of mesothelioma treatment - oncologists use a rubric
or "staging" system. This is only one of the criteria by which
malignancies are classified, the first of which is determined by the
location of the tumor and the third of which is determined by the
cellular structure (or lack thereof). Staging assists the oncologist in
determining how far the mesothelioma cancer has advanced and how
treatable the patient's malignancy really is. Although there are three
distinct staging systems currently in use, all three are based on four
primary stages: The tumor is confined to one organ or region and is
relatively small. The tumor has grown in size, and has spread to one
other tissue. The tumor has spread to adjacent areas. The tumor has
spread to distant areas of the body, or "metastasized." Butchart System
The Butchart System is the oldest rubric used by oncologists, and is
employed only in cases of pleural Mesothelioma. The tumor's Butchart
classification primarily describes the size of the tumor. Under this
rubric, the tumor has spread from its point of origin to the other side
of the body, or to an adjacent tissue such as the pericardium. TNM
System TNM stands for Tumor, Lymph Nodes, and Metastasis. This is a
fairly new rubric that is also used in staging malignant mesothelioma.
This system describes not only the size of the tumor, but also the
extent of metastasis and whether or not the lymph nodes are involved. In
TNM Stage 2, the cancer may have spread to adjacent tissues such as the
diaphragm and/or the pericardial lining; however, the main criterion is
that it has by this point affected the lymph nodes. Brigham System The
Brigham System is the most recently developed rubric for use with
mesothelioma diagnosis. Under Stage 2 of this particular system, the
tumor is still operable ("resectable"), but has spread to the lymph
nodes. Prognosis In most cases, mesothelioma is not detected until it
has reached Stage 3 or 4 - by which time a mesothelioma cure or a
mesothelioma remission is not likely and all that can be done is attempt
to make the patient more comfortable. The new MESOMARK™ diagnostic test
may enable pathologists to detect the disease at earlier stages,
however. Recently approved for use in the U.S. by the FDA, this test was
developed by a Japanese biotech firm and is reportedly able to detect
the early biological markers of malignant mesothelioma. At Stage 1, the
tumor can usually be removed via mesothelioma surgery; radiation and
mesothelioma chemotherapy treatments are used to follow up in order to
get rid of any traces of malignancy.
Stage 3
Mesothelioma
When determining the extent and nature of any kind of cancer, including
mesothelioma - oncologists and mesothelioma doctors use a rubric or
"staging" system. This is only one of the criteria by which malignancies
are classified, the first of which is determined by the location of the
tumor and the third of which is determined by the mesothelioma cell
types. Staging assists the oncologist in determining how far the
asbestos cancer has advanced and how treatable the patient's malignancy
really is. Although there are three distinct staging systems currently
in use, all three are based on four primary mesothelioma stages: In
stage 1 mesothelioma, the tumor is confined to one organ or region and
is relatively small. In stage 2 mesothelioma, the tumor has grown in
size, and has spread to one other tissue. In stage 3 mesothelioma, the
tumor has spread to adjacent areas. In stage 4 mesothelioma, the tumor
has spread to distant areas of the body, or "metastasized." Butchart
System This is the oldest system used by oncologists, and is used only
for patients diagnosed with the pleural variety of mesothelioma. In
Stage 3, the cancer has spread from the pleural lining to the abdomen.
The entire lymphatic system may also be involved at this point. TMN
System TNM stands for Tumor, Lymph Nodes, and Metastasis. This is a
newer method which is usually employed for staging malignant pleural
mesothelioma, although it is also used for peritoneal mesothelioma as
well. Under Stage 3 of this system, the cancer has metastasized from the
pleural lining into the heart, ribs, esophagus, and other vital organs.
At this point, the lymphatic system has definitely been affected.
Brigham System This is the newest staging system, which was developed
especially for use in cases of mesothelioma. Under Stage 3 of the
Brigham System, the cancer is inoperable due to its spread into other
areas. Tumors may be located in inaccessible areas, or may be too
widespread. In addition, the cancer has affected the lymphatic system.
Prognosis By the time the disease has reached Stage 3, the mesothelioma
prognosis is grim. Even if the primary tumor can be removed, cancer
cells have most likely spread to other areas, and a mesothelioma
remission or mesothelioma cure is not probable. At this point,
palliative treatments that can reduce pain and make the patient more
comfortable during his/her final days are the generally the only viable
options.
Stage 4 Mesothelioma
In order to evaluate the extent and nature of any kind of cancer, inclucing mesothelioma cancer,
oncologists use a rubric or "staging" system. This is only one of the
criteria used to classify malignancies. Additional criteria include is
the location of the tumor and identification of the mesothelioma cell types.
Staging assists mesothelioma doctors in determining how far the asbestos cancer has advanced and what mesothelioma treatment would be appropriate.
Although there are three distinct staging systems currently in use, all three are based on four primary stages:
- The tumor in stage 1 mesothelioma is confined to one organ or region and is relatively small.
- The tumor in stage 2 mesothelioma has grown in size, and has spread to one other tissue.
- The tumor in stage 3 mesothelioma has spread to adjacent areas.
- The tumor in stage 4 mesothelioma has spread to distant areas of the body, or "metastasized."
Butchart System
This is the oldest system used by oncologists, and is used only for patients diagnosed with the pleural variety of mesothelioma.
In Stage 4 under the Butchart System, the cancer has spread via the
blood stream and can be found throughout parts of the body remote from
the tumor's point of origin.
TMN System
TNM stands for Tumor, Lymph Nodes, and Metastasis. This is a newer method which is usually employed for staging malignant pleural mesothelioma, although it is also used for peritoneal mesothelioma as well.
Under this system, the cancer has spread well beyond the original site and into the neck as well as the lymphatic system.
Brigham System
This is the newest staging system, which was developed especially for use in cases of mesothelioma.
In
Stage 4 of the Brigham System, the cancer is inoperable. Tumors are
either be too large to remove surgically or have penetrated deep into
vital organs. The cancer has metastasized to that point that malignant
cells can be found throughout the patient's body, so that even if some
of it can be removed, the cancer will almost certainly recur elsewhere.
Prognosis
By Stage 4, the mesothelioma prognosis is
identified as terminal, and the patient has less than a year to live in
most cases. At this point, doctors focus on quality of life issues,
offering palliative treatments that can at the very least reduce patient
discomfort and pain.