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Mesothelioma Staging Systems - Stage 3

In general, Stage 3 malignant mesothelioma is considered to be at an advanced stage of development. From its point of origin in the mesothelium, the asbestos cancer has spread to other nearby tissues or organs, and has spread to the lymph node group closest to the primary tumor location.

Stage 3 and the Butchart System

The Butchart System is the oldest cancer staging system and is quite often used for staging pleural mesothelioma, and other types of mesothelioma are rarely staged according to this staging system. The Butchart System categorizes an individual case of mesothelioma based on the size of the primary tumor and whether lymph nodes are affected. This system uses four stages, and pleural mesothelioma in Stage 3 of the Butchart System has spread to the abdominal cavity and other locations, and distant lymph node groups may also be affected.

Stage 3 and the TNM System

The TNM System categorizes cancer based on the size of tumors, whether or not the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, and whether the cancer has metastasized. The TNM System may be used to stage pleural mesothelioma as well as peritoneal mesothelioma.

In Stage 3 of the TNM System, pleural mesothelioma has spread from the mesothelial lining of the lungs to other locations within the chest cavity, such as the heart, ribs, esophagus, and other vital organs. Lymph nodes are probably also affected at this stage.

Stage 3 and the Brigham System

The newest staging system for cancer, the Brigham System categorizes cancers according to two main criteria: whether or not surgery can be used to remove tumors, and whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. The Brigham system involves four stages.

In Stage 3 of the Brigham system, mesothelioma tumors are not able to be removed surgically, because the cancer has spread to multiple locations within the chest cavity, or to locations where removal is not possible. Lymph nodes may also be affected.

Treatment Options for Stage 3 Mesothelioma

Stage 3 mesothelioma is considered too far advanced for any type of curative surgery. Patients generally have a poor prognosis in Stage 3, due to the spread of cancer to multiple locations. In addition, in cases where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, metastasis is likely to occur, and this means that even if primary tumors are removed, the cancer may reappear in other locations in the body.

In Stage 3, mesothelioma treatments are typically palliative in nature. These types of treatments are designed to relieve symptoms rather than to significantly improve a patient's prognosis. Large tumors may be removed to ease the pressure on nearby organs, but only if the patient is considered in good general health and is able to undergo the physical strain of surgery. Palliative treatments such as thoracentesis or paracentesis are used to remove build-up fluid in the lungs or abdomen. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be used to shrink tumors and provide symptomatic relief.

Sources:

1. Dodson, R. and Hammar, S. Asbestos: Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, and Health Effects. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton. 2006.
2. Galateau-Salle, Francoise. Pathology of Malignant Mesothelioma. Springer-Verlag London Limited: London. 2006.
3. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/staging
4. http://cancerguide.org/basic.html
5. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malignantmesothelioma/Patient/

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Select... Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestosis Severe Asbestosis Unknown

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