What Is the TNM Staging System for Mesothelioma?
TNM staging is a way to describe the amount of cancer present as well as the spread of the disease in a person’s body. TNM is an abbreviation that stands for tumor, nodes, and metastases. According to the National Cancer Institute, “T describes the size of the tumor and any spread of cancer into nearby tissue, N describes spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes, and M describes metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body).”
Mesothelioma Explained
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue that lines the major organs in our bodies such as the lungs, stomach, and heart. According to the Mayo Clinic, mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer for which no cure exists to date. The most common form of malignant mesothelioma is that of the lungs, also called pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is typically caused by exposure to asbestos.
After the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma, your doctors will most likely try to stage the cancer as the next step in order to find out how far it has spread. The way to do this is with the TNM staging system for mesothelioma.
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The Stages of Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura (lung) is the only type of mesothelioma that utilizes TNM staging at present. The stages of pleural mesothelioma are 1 through 4. The higher the number, the more extensively the mesothelioma has spread. Stage 4 is the most serious form of cancer, where the disease has spread to other locations throughout the body. Stages are further broken down into substages by letters attached to the stage number. An earlier letter, such as an “A” after a number, denotes an earlier stage of the disease.
The main stages of mesothelioma, according to the American Cancer Society, are as follows:
Stage 1A: Mesothelioma is present in the pleural lining in one side of the chest and possibly in some adjacent pleural tissue. The mesothelioma has not spread to lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.
Stage 1B: Mesothelioma is present in the pleural lining of the chest as well as some adjacent pleural tissue. This could be the tissue coating the diaphragm, the mediastinum, or the lung. However, cancer has not spread to any lymph nodes or to more distant parts of the body. Stage 1B also describes mesothelioma that has spread into some nearby tissue but could potentially still be removed with surgery.
Stage 2: Mesothelioma is present in the pleural lining in one side of the chest and may have grown into the lung and/or the diaphragm. In stage 2, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, however, it has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Stage 3A: Mesothelioma has spread into nearby tissue but could possibly still be removed with surgery. As well as being present in the pleural lining on one side of the chest, the pleura coating the lung, diaphragm, and mediastinum on the same side, the cancer has grown into either the first layer of the chest wall, the fatty tissue between the lungs, the deeper layer of the chest wall, or the outer covering of the heart. In stage 3A, the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not spread to more distant parts.
Stage 3B: The mesothelioma is too extensive to be completely removed by surgery. As well as being present in the same areas that are covered by stage 3A, in stage 3B the tumor may also have grown into either the spine, the heart lining or heart, or another organ. It may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. The cancer has not spread to any distant parts of the body.
Stage 4: In stage 4 mesothelioma, the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, which can include the bones, liver, and peritoneum, as well as the lung and pleura on the opposite side of the body. It may or may not have spread into nearby tissue and may or may not have spread into any lymph nodes.
The TNM staging system for mesothelioma is useful for determining the outlook for a patient. However, doctors can also use another way to stage mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is classified as resectable when a surgeon can mostly remove the cancer, and as unresectable when removal is not possible with surgery.
Mesothelioma is a treacherous disease. Even when surgery is successful, invisible parts of the cancer may be left behind. This is why it is next to impossible to cure, and treatment predominantly focuses on prolonging the life of sufferers.
Mesothelioma Treatments
Surgery is not the only treatment option that can help to prolong the life of a mesothelioma sufferer. While mesothelioma is generally incurable, it is possible to slow down the spread of the cancer as well as alleviate some unpleasant symptoms. Therapies that can help patients include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Medications
- Pain management
Patients may also be able to join clinical trials in some cases.
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You May Have Legal Recourse
It is important to note that almost all pleural mesothelioma cancers arise due to asbestos exposure. This means that if you are suffering from mesothelioma, someone is most likely responsible for your condition, especially if you worked with asbestos or in an industry where asbestos exposure was common.
You may have various avenues for recovering compensation for your damages, including asbestos trust funds and litigation. If your asbestos exposure occurred during your time serving in the military, you may be able to apply for certain benefits with the U.S. Department for Veterans Affairs (VA).
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We Can Help You
We understand that suffering from a deadly disease such as mesothelioma can be painful as well as extremely distressing emotionally, especially if your prognosis is not good. While legal action cannot give you back your health, compensation can help you and your family deal with the financial responsibilities that arise with long-term cancer treatments.
We can help you explore your options for getting justice. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 307-3113 to schedule a free consultation to determine whether you may receive compensation.
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