Stages of mesothelioma

Stages of mesothelioma
Knowing the steps in your mesothelioma will be a factor that will help your doctor formulate a treatment plan. The classification most definitive and most widely used system is the International Classification TGM for diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, also called the International System group interested in mesothelioma (International Mesothelioma Interest Group System). This system takes into account the primary tumor (T), lymph nodes (G) and metastasis (M). There is no classification system established for peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal patients may be classified according to the general TGM system for cancer or the tumor load present (ie d. Imperceptibly large, moderately large, etc..). The TGM system is very thorough and difficult to interpret the uninitiated, what follows is a simplified version. The Stage I is the earliest; The Stage IV the most advanced.

Stage I
Mesothelioma involves right or left pleura and may also spread to the lungs, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side. The nodes are not involved.

Stage II
Mesothelioma extends to the pleura on one side to nearby lymph nodes lung on the same side. It has also been extended to the lung, pericardium, or diaphragm on the same side.

Stage III
Mesothelioma invades the chest wall, muscles, ribs, heart, esophagus or other organs in the chest on the same side with or without extension to the lymph nodes in the same side as the primary tumor.

Stage IV
Mesothelioma spread to lymph nodes in the chest on the side opposite the primary tumor, or extends to the pleura or lung on the opposite side, or directly extends to the organs of the abdominal cavity or neck. Any distant metastases is included in this step.