Mesothelioma Stages – the Butchart System

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is most often associated with exposure to asbestos. A diagnosis of Mesothelioma necessarily engenders a question of the possible treatments and outcome for the patient. The Butchart system is one way to gauge the stages of Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is like many cancers in that the variety of treatment options available changes with the progress of the disease. Catch it early and there are plenty of options to choose from. Catch it in the later stages and the prospects are not so positive. To understand the situation you or a friend who has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma are in, you need to understand the stages of the disease.


Mesothelioma is a cancer that is most often associated with exposure to asbestos. A diagnosis of Mesothelioma necessarily engenders a question of the possible treatments and outcome for the patient. The Butchart system is one way to gauge the stages of Mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is like many cancers in that the variety of treatment options available changes with the progress of the disease. Catch it early and there are plenty of options to choose from. Catch it in the later stages and the prospects are not so positive. To understand the situation you or a friend who has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma are in, you need to understand the stages of the disease.

The Butchart System is the oldest staging system used for Mesothelioma. Oddly, there are others as well, but we will focus on the Butchart version in this article. The system is comprised of four stages and focuses on the primary tumor as a starting point. Let's take a closer look.

Stage One

In stage one, the Mesothelioma has manifested in the pleura or lining of the chest. It is usually present in one side or the other. It may have also manifested in the diaphragm area as well.

Stage Two

The Mesothelioma has advanced significantly at this stage. It is now in the lining of both sides of the chest cavity. It may also be in the esophagus and lining of the heart. Lymph nodes in the chest are almost certainly impacted and may be creating a method of movement for the cancer.

Stage Three

The cancer continues to spread. It is now clearly into the esophagus and heart lining. It is also spreading throughout the Mesothelium of the abdomen. Lymph nodes beyond the immediate chest area are also showing cancer cells.

Stage Four

The Mesothelium has metastasized fully. It is moving through the blood stream to other parts of the body. Multiple internal organs are now showing cancer cells. The situation is very dire.

So, what treatment options apply to each of these stages? There really isn't a pat answer. The problem is the treatment usually is very aggressive. It can involve any combination of surgery, radiation and chemo therapy. The exact mix will depend on your overall health and the opinion of your physicians.



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