Mesothelioma Stages

Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, the patient will be charted in what is called the Butchart System which identifies the various

Mesothelioma Stages

. This system was developed by Dr. Eric Buchart, an expert in mesothelioma. The Butchart system is still used by doctors in order to have a better way of communicating what stage the patient is in.

This system is based on measuring tumor size (mass) and divides mesothelioma stages into four progressive levels that indicate the advancement of the cancer are as follows:

Stage I -Mesothelioma is present on one side (either right or left) of the chest only. It is not growing into the chest wall.

Stage II- Mesothelioma invades the chest wall (usually both sides) or there is a presence in the esophagus (food passage that connects the throat to the stomach), heart, or the lymph nodes in the chest may also be involved.

Stage III – Mesothelioma has grown through the diaphragm and has reached the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity) or at this point has spread to lymph nodes outside of the chest.

Stage IV- Mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. This stage is called “distant metastatic cancer”.

So that all the doctors are on the same page, this system is widely used in order to determine what the next steps are once the patients mesothelioma stage has been determined. There will be communication with other specialists to further discuss treatment. Once treatment options are discussed, there will an opportunity to find clinical trials that are going on based on what stage the patient is in. These trials are conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) so once the options are discussed, there will be a recommendation where to go from there and if the patient qualifies for one of their trials.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Since mesothelioma is considered one of the rarer types of cancer in order for there to be a proper

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

, there are additional factors to be considered. Since there are so many symptoms that mirror mesothelioma is can difficult to start there will be a review of the patients history. With the history the doctor will want to know about your medical history, when your symptoms began and if the patient has ever worked with or been exposed to asbestos.

Once the review has been evaluated the patient will receive a physical, a chest x-ray and possibly a lung function test. From there a number other tests may be performed in order to conclude that it is a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Several of the different types of mesothelioma tests may include:

Blood Tests - Two substances are looked for to check the blood levels, osteopontin and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs), are more often higher in people with mesothelioma. Although this not confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is a key part of the overall factors considered in the diagnosis.

Fluid and Tissue Sample Tests - If one of the patients symptoms is fluid buildup, this could be related to a positive mesothelioma diagnosis. The fluid is removed by your doctor by inserting a needle through the skin into the area of fluid buildup. The fluid is then examined under a microscope for cancer cells. If there are cancer cells found, further tests can be performed to see if it is mesothelioma. But just because the test comes out negative does not mean you do not have it, now a biopsy will need to be done.

You may find that the tests have different names and that is due to where the fluid buildup is:

• Thoracentesis – The chest cavity
• Paracentesis – The abdomen
• Pericardiocentesis – The membrane around the heart

There are several types of biopsies that may need to be done and vary due to the suspected location, to determine a mesothelioma diagnosis:

Needle Biopsy – This involves inserting a long, hollow needle through the skin to remove a tiny piece of a tumor along with an image test to make sure the needle finds its way to the tumor.

Thoracoscopy, Laparoscopy, and Mediastinoscopy – With these procedures, the doctor makes an incision and inserts a very thin lighted scope through it to see potential areas of mesothelioma.

• Thoracoscopy – the space between the lungs and chest wall
• Laparoscopy – the inside of the abdomen
• Mediastinoscopy -the center of the chest around the heart

Surgical Biopsy - There are some cases where a more invasive procedures may be needed in order to get a larger tissue sample for a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Bronchoscopic Biopsy – This procedure involves passing a long, thin, flexible tube down the throat to examine the airways for to take a sample of the tumor which can be pulled through the tube.

Also included in the mesothelioma diagnosis, there may be a series of imaging tests that are:

Chest X-ray - A chest x-ray may show abnormal thickening in the lining of the lung, fluid in the lungs and chest walls or other changes could suggest mesothelioma.

Computed Tomography (CT). This is known as a CT scan is a procedure where multiple X-rays and a computer create detailed images of the inside of the body. This will help determine if there is cancer, where it is and has it spread.

Positron Emission tomography (PET) – This is also known as a PET scan where radioactive material is injected and pictures are taken where if there is cancer, the cancer cells absorb a lot of the radioactive showing up brighter in cancer cells.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – This is called an MRI scans which uses radio waves and very strong magnets to make detailed images of the body. This scan shows details of the soft tissues and help with locating the location of the tumor.

The doctor will take a look at all of the information to come up with the mesothelioma diagnosis. Once the patient has been diagnosed, there will be further discussion as to what treatment will best suit that patient.

Mesothelioma Survival Rate

Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, one of the first questions a patient will ask is what is the

Mesothelioma Survival Rate

for patients?  Then other questions will follow such as how long can you live with it, is it curable and treatment options. These are all normal inquires since once the patient knows and tells family and friends, they too will have questions and concerns.

Now as far as an answer like many other diseases it is difficult to say what the mesothelioma survival rate will be. There are so many factors to consider so there is no exact timeline that can be given, just what to expect since each patient is different and once diagnosed it was considered to be grim.

We see now with the varying degrees of this illness which has been brought to light with the thousands of people that were exposed to the cancerous asbestos dust after the destruction on 9/11 of the Twin Towers in NY. More than 10 years later, some have since died while there are still people surviving with it. What needs to be done now is to find better ways to diagnose it and treat it because time is a major factor in the mesothelioma survival rate and the following factors are key:

• Mesothelioma Latency Period – Similar to the 9/11 survives with mesothelioma it has a very long latency period since the disease can lie dormant for many years before it is discovered. Then it becomes more difficult to pin point when the exposure took place. With most illnesses once the symptoms appear it seems like the clock starts ticking.

• Stage of Disease once Diagnosed – After being diagnosed a Stage is assessed. For people with Stage 1 or 2 have a much better chance of surviving, with Stage 3 or 4 lack the same treatment options as Stage 1 and 2. With the latter Stages, the cancer has spread.

• Is the Tumor Operable – To determine if the tumor is operable will depend on the Stage of mesothelioma. The likelihood of an operable tumor would have more options during Stage 1 or 2 and for the most part healthy, after that once spread an operation may not be an option.

• Patients Age – For a better chance of survival, the younger the patient, the better. With studies that have been conducted, this is key factor for survival.

• Co-Illnesses – Once patients get older there may other illnesses involved that may interfere with the survival rate.

• Mesothelioma Treatment – After the Stage has been assessed the patient will be given treatment options. These options will have to be decided rather quickly so the patient does not progress to the next Stage.

One thing that is difficult with mesothelioma survival rate are the symptoms can be similar to other illnesses and is often misdiagnosed. It is unfortunate, but people that lived in the Metropolitan area after 9/11, years from now may have to remember where they were after the attack – there may be many more people diagnosed with this in the next couple of decades to come.