The Various Stages of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that’s caused solely by getting exposed to asbestos. Doctors sometimes divide the progression of cancer into 4 stages primarily based on how far the disease has spread. The four mesothelioma stages are as follows :
Stage I
In Stage I, the mesothelioma is confined to one side of the body. At this point, it is sometimes limited to the pleura. The two pleura form a surface that surrounds the lung, and are divided by a layer of lubricating liquid. Mesothelioma in the pleura causes them to make more of this fluid than they need .
On rare occasions, Stage I mesothelioma may involve the lung itself, the pericardium ( the membrane that surrounds the heart ), or the diaphragm ( the muscle that separates the stomach from the chest ).
Stage II
In stage II, the mesothelioma has spread. It now involves the chest wall, the esophagus ( which connects the mouth to the gut ), or the heart. It may affect the pleura on both sides of the body. It might also affect the chest’s lymph nodes ( part of the immune system that works to filter out foreign particles ).
Stage III
In stage III, the mesothelioma has spread further. It is now beyond the diaphragm and in the peritoneum ( the surface that surrounds the intestinal cavity ). It may also affect lymph nodes outside the chest.
Stage IV
In the last of the mesothelioma stages, the tumor has gone through metastasis, that is, it has gone thru the bloodstream to spread to the organs far away from the chest and stomach.
Symptoms due to mesothelioma depend on where it has spread to. If it is limited to a lung ( as is typical of early mesothelioma stages ), it can cause dry coughing and loss of breath. If it has spread to the peritoneum, it can cause fever, swelling, and bowel or urinary issues. In the final stages, it could cause difficulty swallowing, sudden weight loss, or barfing blood.swallowing, sudden weight loss, or vomiting blood.
*Please note: Information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult a physician in all matters relating to your health.
Article By John Black
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