Malignant Mesothelioma Staging- Stage1, Stage 2,Stage3, Stage 4 Basic facts for you to know

1-Localised malignant mesothelioma {stage 1}

2-Advanced malignant mesothelioma{stage 2, stage 3, stage 4}

This process of staging is used to find out if the cancer has spread beyond its primary source/organ like the pleura{the lining of the lungs}or the peritoneum{the lining of the abdomen}

The information obtained from the staging process determines the stage of the cancer and the stage of the cancer determines the prognosis and treatment of the cancer.

Tests used to stage the cancer

-Chest x-ray

This is an x-ray of the lung tissue and the bones surrounding the lung tissue. An energy beam goes through the body unto a film and makes a picture of areas inside the body.

-CT Scan{CAT Scan}

This involves the making of series of detailed pictures of the chest and abdomen from different angles. These pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

-MRI{Magnetic resonance imaging}

This procedure makes use of a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the chest and abdomen. This procedure is also known as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging{NMRI}

The stages of malignant mesothelioma are divided into two main groups:

1-Localised Malignant Mesothelioma {Stage 1}

In stage 1 of the cancer, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest may also be found in the lungs, diaphragm, or the lining of the heart{pericardium}on the same side of the chest.

2-Advanced Malignant Mesothelioma{stage 2, stage 3, stage 4}

Stage 2

The cancer is found in the pleura{the lining of the lungs}and in the lymph node on the same side of the chest. The cancer may also be found in the lungs, the diaphragm or in the pericardium{the lining of the heart} on the same side of the chest.

Stage 3

The cancer has spread to any of the following areas:

a-chest wall

b-mediastinum{the tissue that divides the chest into two}

c-heart

d-beyond the diaphragm

e-the lining of the peritoneum

The cancer may have also spread to the lymph nodes of the chest or outside the chest.

Stage 4

Cancer has spread to distant organs and tissues