Mesothelioma Stage I

When asbestos fibers lodge in the lining that covers the vital organs in the body, it remains there and festers for many years before becoming malignant and displaying related symptoms to reveal what has become a cancerous growth that will rapidly multiply and proliferate. Different stages of the cancer that affects the linings covering the vital organs mark different levels in the progression of the disease. Different systems are adopted to stage mesothelioma; of those in use, the Butchart staging system is the oldest system in practice. The size of the primary tumor is of primary consideration in the stages defined by Butchart.

The Brigham system is the latest to be developed to fifferentiate between mesothelioma stages. The Brigham system focuses on two criteria: whether or not tumors can be removed via surgery, and whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. These form the basis of staging by the Brigham system.

Stage 1 Mesothelioma Symptoms

In common understanding, stage 1 mesothelioma refers to a nascent stage where the malignancy is beginning and hence very localized or restricted to a specific body part: the lung, heart, or abdomen. For example, in Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma, either the left or right side of the lung is affected by cancer.

Mesothelioma Stage I Treatments

If mesothelioma is in Stage 1, the patients have more treatment options and a better prognosis than at any other stage. However, this is a contradiction in terms since it is rare for mesothelioma to be diagnosed at this stage because of its very long gestation period that spreads across 50 years and more. As a result, symptoms do not surface until the disease is already advanced and mesothelioma diagnosis is often too late. In any case, surgery to remove tumors and a small amount of surrounding tissue may be a treatment option, followed by radiation therapy or mesothelioma chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Palliative care may be provided to ease symptoms that compromise the quality of life. Alternative therapies may be advised to alleviate suffering and prolong life after the traditional trimodal approach has been completed.