Stages of Pleural Mesothelioma
There are three staging systems in staging mesothelioma, the Butchart System, the TNIM System, and the Brigham System. The oldest and most commonly used staging system is the Butchart System. This system contains four stages and bases the stages on the size of the primary tumor. Below, the four stages of the Butchart System are listed.
Stage I: Mesothelioma is occurring on either side of the pleura (right or left) and may include the diaphragm on that same side.
Stage II: Mesothelioma is occurring in the chest wall or occurring in the heart, esophagus, or bilateral pleura. There may be lymph node involvement at this stage.
Stage III: Mesothelioma is occurring in the diaphragm and into the lining of the peritoneum. There may be lymph node involvement at this stage.
Stage IV: Metastasis has occurred and the mesothelioma has spread through the bloodstream and into other organs.