Mesothelioma Staging - Stage 2

Article Tools:
E-Mail Article
Share Article

Staging is the process of finding out how far the mesothelioma has spread. It is based on imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The type of treatment and the prognosis for the patient depends on the stage of their cancer. Since pleural mesothelioma occurs most frequently and has been studied the most, it is the only mesothelioma for which a staging classification exists, versus the other prevelant forms of mesothelioma such as peritoneal mesothelioma or pericardial mesothelioma, the rarest form.

There are several staging systems currently being used to determine the stage of mesothelioma that a patient may have. 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 mesothelioma stage. Of course, malignant mesothelioma patients with lower stage numbers have a better likelihood of recovery from this form of asbestos cancer or a better chance at long-term survival.

The Butchart System, the oldest of all staging systems, is based on the magnitude of the primary tumor mass. It divides a mesothelioma diagnosis 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.

Pleural Mesothelioma Stage II mesothelioma means that the mesothelioma has enlarged to form a tumor on the pleural tissue around the lungs or it is spreading into the lung tissue or diaphragm and it has spread to both layers of the pleura on only one side of the body.

Stage II mesothelioma can be removed with surgery, but the patient will have lymph nodes that contain cancer cells.

TNM Staging System

Stage II (T2, N0, M0): Mesothelioma involves either the pleura on either side and has grown into 1) the outermost lung lining, 2) into the lung, or the diaphragm. It still has not grown into the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Butchart Staging System

Stage II: Mesothelioma has affected the diaphragm and moved into peritoneum. Chest nodes in areas other than the chest may also be affected

Brigham Staging System

Stage II: It is resectable, but lymph nodes are affected

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

'Mesothelioma Staging - Stage 2' 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.