mesothelioma tnm staging
this type of cancer passes through different stages as the disease progresses, the different phases have a significant influence on the type of treatment prescribed and the most likely outcome of the disease.
The various mesothelioma stages often indicate how far the disease has progressed beyond its point of origin initial. Localized mesothelioma is diagnosed when the cancer has not spread beyond the membrane (most often the lining of the lungs) which originated. If cancer cells have spread beyond the lining to invade the lungs, chest wall cavity or other body organs considered a late stage mesothelioma, which is much more difficult to treat.
Beyond this advanced vs localized informal classification, four stages several are recognized by each one of the most widely used staging systems of mesothelioma. One system, the TNM system is used most often in treatment centers progressive cancer and is recognized by the American Cancer Society as mesothelioma accurate classification system.
The other, the staging system Butchart, is the most common cancer staging in general.
Butchart Mesothelioma Stages
The Butchart system classifies cancer of mesothelioma in four different stages depending on the stage of primary tumor mass.
• Stage I – Cancer is seen only in one part of the coating chest, or pleura
• Stage II – Mesothelioma has spread to any of the chest wall, esophagus or heart or lymph nodes chest,
• Stage III – Cancer has invaded the diaphragm and the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal cancer) or has spread to lymph nodes Additional body
• Stage IV – Mesothelioma has spread to several major organs Butchart The classification system has been replaced largely by TNM system for classification of the stages of mesothelioma cancer.
TNM Staging System
TNM means tumor, nodes and metastasis; three keys to determine the extent of mesothelioma cancer are using this system. T represents tumor extension, N for the lateness of the disease is in the lymph nodes and M for the extent of spread of cancer to other organs.
• Stage I – Mesothelioma is limited to the pleura chest and has not spread to other areas.
• Stage II – The cancer has spread to the chest wall and in the lining of the lungs or the lung itself.
• Stage III – In addition to the pleura, mesothelioma is extended to part of the thoracic cavity behind the sternum or chest wall. This phase also usually includes cancer of the lymph nodes.
• Stage IV – The most advanced stage of mesothelioma when the cancer has spread to major organs or bones or brain. Metastasis refers to the widespread dissemination of cancer.
Each case of mesothelioma is different and these stages are not the only factors that determine the type of treatment and prognosis of the disease. Other factors come into consideration.
About the Author:
Bello Kamorudeen. For more information about prognosis and staging of mesothelioma go to
http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How Far Has Your Mesothelioma Cancer Spread?
