Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Cancer Stages Explained

By Dave Casey

Mesothelioma cancer is a type of cancer that attacks the lungs and chest cavity. Also known as asbestos lung cancer, it forms deadly tumors where mesothelial cancer cells form a protective lining over the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs. Types of Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer

Epithelial mesothelioma is a rare and fatal form of cancer affecting the membrane lining of the chest cavity, heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity. There are three forms of epithelial mesothelioma: the most common is Pleural Mesothelioma, the second most common, Peritoneal Mesothelioma (accounting for only a quarter of the cases), and the rarest form, pericardial mesothelioma.

Lung Lining cancer is not to be confused with lung cancer. Lung Lining cancer is also sometimes called mesothelioma after the area in which it occurs.

Localized pleural mesothelioma is not always caused by asbestos exposure. Mesentery cancer is likened to peritoneal cancer (mesothelioma). Mesentery cancer includes all abdominal peritoneal extensions. Pericardial mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma, affecting the membrane around the heart (called the pericardium or pericardial sac). Mesothelioma cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or dust.

Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to detect in early stages. Stages and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma

There are three staging systems used to determine treatment for mesothelioma: Butchart System, TNM System, and the Brigham System

Butchart Staging System

This system concentrates upon determining the extent of primary tumor mass and divides mesothelioma into four stages.
Stage II includes the progression of mesothelioma into the chest wall, esophagus, or lung lining on bother sides. Doctors identify Stage IV, the final stage, when evidence of the spread of cancer to other organs (metastasis) is confirmed.

Stage II begins when mesothelioma spreads from the lining of the lung on one side to a lymph node on the same side. In the final stage, Stage IV, the mesothelioma has travelled into the lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, into the lung opposite the primary tumor, or directly into the organs in the abdominal cavity or neck. Brigham System

In Stage II the tumor remains respectable but the mesothelioma affects the lymph nodes. In Stage III the tumor becomes unresectable. Stage IV occurs when doctors discover metastatic disease involving distant organs.

Mesothelioma treatment programs are contingent upon many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the location of the cancer, the spread of mesothelioma cancer, the characteristics of the cancer cells under a microscope and the patient's age and concerns.