Staging Mesothelioma: Steps after a Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. The most common form is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs. Other, less common occurrences of the cancer include peritoneal, pericardial and testicular mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos can happen by either inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. Such exposure is often the result of damaged asbestos-containing materials that have released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Ingestion of asbestos may occur if these fibers land in drinks or on areas where food is prepared.
Symptoms of mesothelioma may take anywhere between 20 and 50 years to arise after the initial exposure to asbestos. This often allows the cancer to unknowingly develop, resulting in a late diagnosis for many patients. Once a diagnosis has been made, the next step for doctors is to stage the cancer.
Staging assesses the severity of the cancer and whether or not the tumors have spread to other organs. Staging is helpful in determining a patients prognosis as well as what type of treatment would be most beneficial.
There are three different systems for staging malignant mesothelioma, including the Butchart System, TNM System and Brigham System. All three systems classify mesothelioma into four stages, ranging from an early diagnosis to a late diagnosis.
The Butchart System stages a patient’s mesothelioma based on the size of the tumor. This method is the oldest staging system for mesothelioma and is the most commonly used by doctors.
The TNM System is a newer staging method based on the extent of the tumor, metastasis and lymph node involvement.
The Brigham System is a more modern method that examines several different variables, including the involvement of lymph nodes and the surgical ability to safely remove the mesothelioma tumor. This staging system is used less frequently than the other two methods.
Correctly staging mesothelioma can have a large impact on treatment options. Mesothelioma that is diagnosed during the first stage, regardless of the staging system used, has a much greater chance of positively responding to curable treatments such as surgery. Patients who are diagnosed when the cancer has already reached stage 3 or 4 are more likely to receive palliative care that is not aimed at curing the disease.
Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.
