Mesothelioma
Stages and Staging Systems
Doctors identify the extent of pleural
mesothelioma at the time of its diagnosis by doing studies that allow them to
assign it as stage 1, 2, 3 or 4. The cancer’s stage is a major factor in
determining a patient’s prognosis and treatment options. Early-stage patients
may benefit from aggressive therapies with potential substantial prolongation
of life. Late-stage patients usually benefit more from treatment primarily
focused on symptom management to hopefully improve quality of life and
sometimes duration of survival.
Staging is a codified way for cancer doctors
to describe to patients and other medical specialists how advanced the disease
is, how prevalent tumors are and how far the cancer has spread.
Cancer staging is a key part of mesothelioma
diagnosis and treatment. Knowing where the cancer is in its development helps
specialists decide which treatment options are appropriate and which are not.
For example, doctors use cancer stage as a guideline when deciding whether a
patient is likely to benefit from surgery.
Mesothelioma
Staging Facts
- · Doctors classify pleural mesothelioma as stage 1, 2, 3 or 4.
- · A higher stage number signifies more advanced cancer.
- · Usually, more aggressive treatment options are available at earlier stages.
- · The TNM staging system is preferred by most doctors.
Staging is a codified way for cancer doctors
to describe to patients and other medical specialists how advanced the disease
is, how prevalent tumors are and how far the cancer has spread.
Cancer staging is a key part of mesothelioma
diagnosis and treatment. Knowing where the cancer is in its development helps
specialists decide which treatment options are appropriate and which are not.
For example, doctors use cancer stage as a guideline when deciding whether a
patient is likely to benefit from surgery.
Resectable
Mesothelioma
If a patient is healthy enough for aggressive
treatment and doctors believe all visible signs of cancer can be completely
removed, they say the cancer is resectable and will likely recommend a
treatment plan involving a major surgery such as pleurectomy/decortication
(P/D) or extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP). Stage 1 pleural mesotheliomas are
generally resectable as well as some diagnosed at stage 2 and 3.
Unresectable
Mesothelioma
If the spread of cancer is too advanced,
however, and can’t be removed completely, the cancer is unresectable. In this
situation, doctors recommend other treatment options, including chemotherapy
and experimental treatments. Such treatments are considered only palliative
because they are focused on symptom control and rarely meaningfully prolong
life.
Because early mesothelioma symptoms are
easily mistaken for those of other illnesses, most patients are not diagnosed
until stage 3 or 4. In addition to the stage, the cancer’s cell type and the
patient’s overall health also affect treatment options.