What are the stages of mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is staged using the TNM classification system for classifying malignant tumors.
- The T refers to the size and local spread of the primary tumor
- Size of the tumor can be designated by the number 1-4
- The N describes spreading of the tumor into lymph nodes
- Spread of the tumor to lymph nodes can be designated by the numbers 0-3
- N0- there is no spread to lymphatic nodes
- N1-there is spread of the tumor to nearest lymph nodes
- N3- there is spread of the tumor cells to distant lymph nodes
- The M describes distance metastasis
- Metastasis is designated by the numbers 0-1
- M0- no metastasis
- M1-metastasis to distant tissues