Staging
Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan an appropriate treatment approach and evaluate the results of different interventions. Different staging systems are used for different types of cancer.
CT scans and MRI are often used to determine whether the cancer has spread.
A mediastinoscopy can help show whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest. Using a lighted viewing instrument, called a scope, the doctor examines the center of the chest (mediastinum) and nearby lymph nodes. In mediastinoscopy, the scope is inserted through a small incision in the neck; in mediastinotomy, the incision is made in the chest. In either procedure, the scope is also used to remove a tissue sample.
(courtesy of clevelandclinic.org)
Additional Information
- Treatment of MPM hindered by lack of accurate staging system. Patients need to be stratified into groups with similar prognosis.
- New IMIG staging system focuses on size/extent/location of tumor and status of lymph node involvement
- Without accurate staging, it is impossible to compare data or evaluate influence of specific treatment on survival.
- There is pressing need for prospective multi institutional clinical trials to investigate novel treatment strategies
Defense Lawyer's "No Benefit" Theory Promotes Doom and Despair, Dr. Corey Langer. (12/23/98)
Does Early Stage Diagnosis of MM Improve Prognosis? Asbestos Companies say "No", but Fail to Finance Research to Find a Cure; Updates on the Treatment Options Landscape; Creation of Research Foundation RGW (11/30/98)