PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

There are three staging systems used for pleural mesothelioma, the Butchart system, the TNM system and the Brigham system. The Butchart staging system is the oldest system for grading stages of cancer. It is based on the size and spread of the primary pleural mesothelioma cancer and is divided into four stages.

The first stage is in the pleura on the right or left side only or may have grown into the covering of the heart and the diaphragm. Stage two is the mesothelioma growing into the chest wall or on in the pleura on both sides at the initial diagnosis. With this stage often times the cancer will grow into the esophagus, heart, or lymph nodes in the chest. The third stage the mesothelioma has penetrated to the abdominal cavity and is more than likely also found in the lymph nodes beyond the chest; and in stage four the pleural mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs. The TNM system describes the tumor, the lymph nodes and the metastasis hence the letters TNM. In stage one of the TNM the mesothelioma affects the right or left side pleura and may have grown into the covering of the heart and diaphragm. Stage two has spread to both layers of the pleura on the same side of the body. Stage three the pleural mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall, esophagus or lymph nodes on the same side of the chest and in stage four the mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body such as the liver, brain, bone or lymph nodes on the other side of the chest. The last grading system for pleural mesothelioma is the Brigham staging system and is based on whether the mesothelioma can be removed by surgery and if the lymph nodes are involved or not.

There are four stages here as well that we need to inform you of that are very similar to the TNM system of grading. Stage one here the mesothelioma can be removed with surgery and there are no lymph nodes containing cancer cells. Stage two the mesothelioma can still be removed but there are problems with the lymph nodes in that cancer cells have spread there as well. The third stage of pleural mesothelioma the mesothelioma cannot be removed with surgery because it has spread into the chest wall, heart, or diaphragm into the peritoneum. There may be nothing wrong with the lymph nodes at this time but surgery could result in a domino effect. The fourth and final stage is when the cancer has spread through the bloodstream to other organs in the body such as the liver, brain or bone. This stage is unfortunately pretty grim with no other outcome but death.

We here at The Maune Raichle Law Firm want to help with all forms of mesothelioma. Our lawyers will work diligently to make sure you are well taken care of, legally, emotionally and financially. There are many companies that used asbestos for decades knowing that these things could happen but continued on the same destructive path. The payoff—in dollars and cents-- was a much brighter shining star than the welfare of their employees. Now it’s your turn. If you or someone you love has suffered from pleural mesothelioma please call our law offices today.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN HOME