Mesothelioma Stage II

The Butchart System describes the second stage of mesothelioma cancer as one in which the cancerous cells have spread from its point of origin to a nearby area or organ. For instance, the pleural mesothelioma progresses from the pleural membrane in the other lung to include the esophagus or the diaphragm. The lymph nodes may also be affected. In pericardial mesothelioma, the infection may move across the lining of the heart to include the neighbouring area. In this way, the size of the malignant tumor grows and the stage is consequently defined as the next one to stage one.

Stage 2 Mesothelioma Symptoms

As explained above, Stage 2 mesothelioma is referred to as 'advanced' mesothelioma as it has grown from its nascent stage. This means the cancer is located not only at its point of origin, but has spread to at least one nearby organ. In pleural mesothelioma Stage 2, for example, the cancer has spread outside the lungs; pericardial mesothelioma Stage 2 moves outside the periphery of the heart; the abdominal mesothelioma Stage 2 will have gone beyond the confines of the stomach.

Mesothelioma Stage II Treatments

As the disease progresses, treatment options reduce. So management of Stage 2 may be more limited and difficult than in Stage 1 mesothelioma. The life expectancy or prognosis for the patient is not as good as Stage 1. This is because Stage 2 involves the spread of mesothelioma from its point of origin to nearby organs (for example, from the pleural membrane to the lung). Where lymph node involvement is detected, it spells the possibility of metastasis to other locations. In this scenario, surgical removal of the primary tumor and the affected lymph nodes are not of much help in containing the disease. It may be performed for palliative measures and then followed by mesothelioma radiation therapy or chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells.

Academically, there may be four stages to mesothelioma but in reality, the long gestation period of the silent killer leaves very limited treatment options when it finally makes its presence felt and tests and other medical procedures confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. In treatment of this malady, time is of an essence and may make the difference between days and years for the patient.