Mesothelioma Staging - Stage 1

Article Tools:
E-Mail Article
Share Article

Staging is the process of finding out how far a diagnosis of mesothelioma has spread. It is based on imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The type of mesothelioma treatment and the prognosis for the patient depends on the stage of their cancer.

Diagnosed as a rare form of asbestos cancer, there are several staging systems currently being used for mesothelioma. The staging systems include the TNM Staging System, the Butchart Staging System, and the Brigham Staging System. The TNM staging system is the major staging system. T = Tumor and refers to the tumor size and how far it has spread to nearby organs; N = Spread to lymph nodes, and M = Metastasis -- whether the mesothelioma has spread to other (distant) organs. The TNM Staging System assigns categories and numbers to determine the overall stages of mesothelioma. Of course, mesothelioma patients with lower stage numbers have a better likelihood of recovery from the disease or a better chance at long-term survival.

Malignant Mesothelioma Since pleural mesothelioma occurs most frequently and has been studied the most, it is the only type of mesothelioma for which a standard staging classification exists.The Butchart System, the oldest of all staging systems, is based on the magnitude of the primary tumor mass. It divides malignant mesothelioma into the four stages and it is still currently being used by many specialists in the field. The Brigham Staging System also uses four stages and it is based on whether the mesothelioma can treated or removed by surgery. It is also based on whether or not the body’s lymph nodes are involved.

There are four mesothelioma stages Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV.

Stage I mesothelioma is the earliest stage of mesothelioma and is described differently by the various staging systems.

TNM Staging System

Stage I (T1, N0, M0): Mesothelioma involves either side of the pleura has spread to the outer layer of the lung. It has spread to neither the lymph nodes nor other parts of the body.

Butchart Staging System

Stage I: Cancer is in the right or left pleura and may affect the diaphragm on that side.

Brigham Staging System

Stage I: The mesothelioma is resectable and has not affected any lymph nodes.

Once the stage, type of mesothelioma, and overall health of the patient that has received the mesothelioma diagnosis have been determined, the doctor will explore the various treatment methods.

'Mesothelioma Staging - Stage 1' Resources:
  1. "Malignant Mesothelioma Treatment" (online article) 2/12/08
    Accessed: 3/6/08.
  2. "Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma Treatment – Surgery", http://www.personalinjuryfyi.com/mesothelioma/mesothelioma_surgery.html (online article) 2004
    Accessed: 3/6/08.
  3. "Mesothelioma Stages", http://www.mesotheliomahelp.net/mesothelioma_stages.html (online article) 2007
    Accessed: 3/6/08.

Free case consultation

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact us using the form below to speak with a mesothelioma consultant, free of charge.