This is also
sometimes called the International Mesothelioma
Interest Group staging system. The TNM system
describes the extent of the primary tumor (T),
the absence or presence of cancer in nearby lymph
nodes (N), and the absence or presence of distant
metastases (M). Once the TNM categories have been
decided, this information is grouped together
to give the stage. Stage 1 is the earliest stage
and stage 4 is the most advanced stage.
Stage
1 - Mesothelioma affects
one layer of the pleura only. It may have grown
into pericardium and the diaphragm
Stage
2 - Mesothelioma has spread
to both layers of the pleura on one side of the
body only
Stage
3 - Mesothelioma has spread
to the chest wall, food pipe or lymph nodes on
the same side of the chest
Stage
4- Mesothelioma has spread
via the bloodstream to other organs in the body
such as the liver, brain or bone or to lymph nodes
on the other side of the chest.
