What are the Stages of Mesothelioma?

Key takeaways: There are four stages of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) progression. These stages are organized based on the size/extent of the tumor(s), whether or not the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has metastasized in a far away part of the body. There are four stages that MPM can be characterized as.

How is Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) categorized into stages?

Doctors use certain metrics to assess the severity (and consequent treatment plans) of MPM, which is mesothelioma that has developed in and around the tissues of the lungs. (This is the most common manifestation of mesothelioma.) They use the TNM method, which is as follows: Tumor: Can the main tumor be successfully removed with surgery? How big is the tumor? Is it localized to the pleura of the lungs? (The pleura are the membranes that directly surround the lungs. They are characterized as serous membranes, meaning that they contain serous fluid. This fluid allows for the smooth inflation and deflation of the lungs during breathing and other movements of the body at large.) Nodes: Is the cancer detectable in the lymph nodes? Metastasis: Has the cancer migrated (metastasized) to different parts of the body, like a distant organ or appendage?

What are the Stages of Mesothelioma?

Doctors assess the stage of mesothelioma (1-4) based on answers to the above questions. While a doctor’s evaluation is more in-depth, we will be discussing the basic qualifications for the different stages of mesothelioma. Doctors use numerical values in the TNM method that might blur these stipulations. For example, a patient might have three detectable tumors (T3) and two impacted lymph nodes (N2), but the diagnosis might be characterized as Stage II. The stage of mesothelioma is to be determined by a doctor.

Stage I: The cancer is only within the tissues surrounding the lungs (pleura). It is a tumor that can likely be removed with surgery. Stage II: The cancer has begun spreading to the lungs themselves and nearby organs, like the diaphragm or the muscles within the chest. The lymph nodes are either unaffected or affected minimally (i.e., the cancer in the lymph nodes can be successfully and totally removed). Stage III: The lymph nodes are noticeably affected. The cancer has significantly spread to nearby organs, and is usually present in one or both lungs. Stage IV: The cancer has metastasized to distant parts of the body and cannot be successfully removed via surgery. Treatment options can be chemotherapy or palliative care. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please call The Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000. We are here to help you navigate the legal process of filing a claim to receive compensation for your cancer diagnosis. We help mesothelioma victims and their families in Pennsylvania. Sources:

• Mahabadi, Navid, Alberto A. Goizueta, and Bruno Bordoni. “Anatomy, Thorax, Lung Pleura And Mediastinum.” In StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519048/.

• “Malignant Mesothelioma Stages | Malignant Mesothelioma Metastasis.” Accessed January 11, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html.

Written By Carina Filemyr

 

 

Sadie Digital Marketing Specialist

Sadie Gold, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Ithaca College, holds a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Environmental Studies. She brings a passion for marketing, blogging, and social media to her role at The Halpern Law Firm. A Pennsylvania native, Sadie enjoys spending her free time with her dog, family, and friends, and is an avid sports fan.

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