When a patient gets diagnosed with mesothelioma, the doctor then tries to find out at what stage the cancer has progressed to which could tell him how far the cancer has spread? This process of stages can be known to him by having CT Scans and MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) being done on the patient. This is an important process as this will verify to the doctor what kind of treatment and prognosis could be done on the mesothelioma.
The most commonly used system used for mesothelioma measuring of the stage is the Butchart Staging System. This system is used for the most common of the mesothelioma i.e. the one affecting the lung linings and known as pleural mesothelioma.
Stage I: Malignant Mesothelioma – Localised
This is the initial stage of the cancer mesothelioma and the tumour is situated in the lung lining or pleura. Tumours could be found inside the lungs too, as well as the lining of the heart or pericardium and the diaphragm.
Stage II: Mesothelioma
In this stage the cancer is centred not only in the lungs but has also spread to the esophagus, chest wall or the heart. It is also very possible that the disease has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest.
Stage III: Mesothelioma
At this stage it is more than likely that the spread of the cancer has gone much further and has affected not only the diaphragm and to the peritoneum but may have also affected the lymph nodes situated outside the chest.
Stage IV: Mesothelioma
This is the last stage where the spread of the cancer has metastasized and has spread into the bloodstream and affected the other organs of the body.
To have a better understanding of the processes visit the website www.mesothelioma.us .