Mesothelioma Staging - Stage 3

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 out of all forms of asbestos cancer, it is the only mesothelioma for which a staging classification exists.

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.

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 III mesothelioma indicates that the disease has spread to the pericardium and the chest wall or the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest. While stage III mesothelioma is extremely serious, it is still possible that it can be removed by surgery.

TNM Staging System

Pericardial Mesothelioma Stage III (T1 or 2, N1 or 2, M0; OR T3, N0-2, M0): Mesothelioma involves the pleura on either side of the chest and may or may not have spread from the lining of the chest into the outermost lung lining, into the lung, the diaphragm and has grown into lymph nodes in the chest, on the same side as the primary tumor, and it has not metastasized to other parts of the body.

Butchart Staging System

Stage III: 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 III: It is unresectable and it has spread into chest wall, or heart, through the diaphragm, or into the abdominal cavity. It may or may not have affected lymph nodes beyond the chest.

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

'Mesothelioma Staging - Stage 3' Resources:
  1. Thoracic Surgery News "Survival Similar for Two Mesothelioma Resection Options", http://www.aats.org/multimedia/files/Thoracic-Surgery-News/
    Thoracic-Surgery-News-September-October-2007.pdf, (pdf online) 2007
    Accessed: 3/6/08.
  2. "The Stages of Mesothelioma", http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=4465 (online article) 4/13/07
    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.