Mesothelioma Stage III

The spread or advancement of the disease called mesothelioma in the body is assessed by staging as per the Butchart System. This is the oldest cancer staging system and is quite often used for staging pleural mesothelioma. The Butchart System categorizes an individual case of mesothelioma cancer based on the size of the primary tumor and whether lymph nodes are affected. Pleural mesothelioma in Stage 3 of the Butchart System indicates that it has spread to the abdominal cavity and other locations, and distant lymph node groups may also be affected.

Stage 3 Mesothelioma Symptoms

When malignant mesothelioma reaches the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), it is considered to be in the third stage of the disease and symptoms get aggravated, including difficulty in breathing, low vitality, fatigue, depression, and others depending on the organ affected. Lymph nodes past the chest may be affected and this inevitably causes spread of the disease at a faster pace.

Mesothelioma Stage III Treatments

Stage 3 mesothelioma has a poor prognosis as the disease is considered too far advanced for any type of curative surgery. The spread of cancer to multiple locations beyond the primary location has occurred and in this situation, even if the main tumor is removed, the further spread cannot be contained. Where the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, metastasis is likely to happen at a fast rate. Efforts therefore are towards palliative care designed to relieve symptoms rather than to significantly improve a patient's prognosis. If the patient is young and healthy, large tumors may be removed to ease the pressure on nearby organs or the buildup of fluid is eased by mesothelioma thoracentesis or paracentesis. Symptomatic relief may also be obtained by use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Mesothelioma Stage 3 Life Expectancy

While there is generally no cure for mesothelioma, in Stage 3, this is especially true owing to the spread of the cancerous tissues to various organs. Learning that a cure does not exist can be discouraging but stories of mesothelioma survivors instill hope in those affected by the cancer and each case is different; so making a generalized prediction for all patients in stage 3 is not possible.

Mesothelioma Stage 3 Prognosis

Since stage 3 of malignant mesothelioma is considered to be at an advanced stage of development, the prognosis is grim. Metastasis is the norm rather than the exception but no two cases are identical; much depends on care, well-being and management.