Stage 4 Mesothelioma

In order to evaluate the extent and nature of any kind of cancer, including mesothelioma cancer, oncologists use a rubric or “staging” system. This is only one of the benchmarks used to classify malignancies. Additional criteria include the location of the tumor and identification of mesothelioma cell types.

Staging assists mesothelioma doctors in determining how far the asbestos cancer has advanced and what mesothelioma treatment would be appropriate for the patient’s malignancy.

Although there are three distinct staging systems currently in use, all three are based on four primary stages relative to the assessment of the tumor:

• The tumor in stage 1 mesothelioma is confined to one organ or region and is relatively small.
• The tumor in stage 2 mesothelioma has grown in size, and has spread to one other tissue.
• The tumor in stage 3 mesothelioma has spread to adjacent areas.
• The tumor in stage 4 mesothelioma has spread to distant areas of the body, or “metastasized.”

In Stage 4, the cancer has spread throughout the body and the anticipated mesothelioma life expectancy is not long.