Once your physician has determined that you have malignant mesothelioma, regardless of where it is located in the body the next step will be assessing how far the cancer has spread. This process is called staging, and it is critical to understanding exactly what treatment is most appropriate for you.
There are Four Mesothelioma Stages
When cancer is staged, it is assessed against a series of criteria that tells your physician exactly how far the tumor has spread. There are four stages of cancer, referred to as Stages I, II, III and IV. Stage I mesothelioma is in its earliest stage, while Stage IV is in its most advanced stage.
Knowing the Mesothelioma Stage Helps Determine Treatment
Because mesothelioma treatment has its best result when it is diagnosed in its early stages, the most aggressive surgical treatment protocols are offered for patients in the first few stages of the disease. For those that are in Stage IV, most of the treatment is offered to provide relief of pain and easier breathing.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you are interested in more information about mesothelioma staging, we can help.
