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Mesothelioma Stages The Mesothelioma staging is the process to find out how far along the cancer has spread. Staging of Mesothelioma is based on imaging studies such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. The treatment and outlook for patients with Mesothelioma largely depends on the stage (extent of spread) of their cancer. The only type of Mesothelioma that is staged is pleural Mesothelioma because this is the one that is studied the most and the one that occurs most frequently. The staging system most often used for Mesothelioma is the Butchart system. This system is based mainly on the extent of the primary tumor mass, and divides Mesothelioma into stages I through IV. • Stage I: Mesothelioma is present within the right or left pleura, and may also involve the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm (the muscle separating the chest from the abdomen) on the same side. • Stage II: Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or involves the esophagus (food passage connecting the throat to the stomach), heart, or pleura on both sides. The lymph nodes in the chest may also be involved. • Stage III: Mesothelioma has penetrated through the diaphragm into the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity). Lymph nodes beyond those in the chest may also be involved. • Stage IV: There is evidence of distant metastases (spread through the bloodstream to other organs). Because pleural Mesothelioma has been better studied than peritoneal Mesothelioma we know more about factors associated with prognosis for pleural Mesothelioma. Younger age at diagnosis, performance status (functional status) and absence of weight loss are associated with a more favorable prognosis. Mesothelioma are usually of three different cell types (histological analysis): 1) epithelial cell type - has the most favorable prognosis; 2) fibrosarcomatous cell type - carries the worst prognosis and 3) mixed cell type - has an intermediate prognosis. All Text Copyright © Safety2005.org |
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