Mesothelioma Stages
Mesothelioma is a kind of lung cancer that’s caused solely by exposure to asbestos. Doctors sometimes divide the progression of cancer into four stages based on how far the carcinoma has spread. The 4 mesothelioma stages are like this :
Stage I
In Stage I, the mesothelioma is confined to one side of the body. At this point, it is generally limited to the pleura. The two pleura form a surface that surrounds the lung, and are separated by a layer of lubricating fluid. Mesothelioma in the pleura causes them to make more of this liquid than they require.
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 abdomen 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 may also affect the chest’s lymph nodes ( part of the immune system that works to clear out foreign particles ).
Stage III
In stage III, the mesothelioma has spread further. It is now outside the diaphragm and in the peritoneum ( the surface that surrounds the intestinal hole ). It may also affect lymph nodes outside the chest.
Stage IV
In the last of the mesothelioma stages, the malignancy has gone through spreading, that is, it has gone thru the bloodstream to spread to the organs a great distance away from the chest and abdomen.
Symptoms caused by mesothelioma rely on where it has spread to. If it is confined to a lung ( as is typical of early mesothelioma stages ), it may 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 can cause trouble swallowing, sudden weight loss, or puking 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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