Staging
When lung cancer is diagnosed, the doctors want to learn the stage of the disease. Staging is a process used by physicians to describe the extent of the disease or how advanced the cancer is. Staging assists the physician in determining the likely course of the cancer and how it may respond to different treatments (also known as the prognosis of the disease).
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
Hsa-miR-29c* is Linked to the Prognosis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (3/2/2010)
The inability to forecast outcomes for mesothelioma prevents clinicians from providing aggressive multimodality therapy to the most appropriate individuals who may benefit from such an approach. Hsa-miR-29c* has the potential to be a prognostic biomarker in mesothelioma and further investigation of these findings may give insight for potential therapies in the future. More...
A new electrocautery pleural biopsy technique using an insulated-tip diathermic knife during semirigid pleuroscopy. (10/14/2009)
According to researchers, biopsies obtained with standard flexible forceps (SFF) are often insufficient for analyzing. Instead, they suggest using an insulated-tip diathermic knife (IT knife), which provides a safer resection of a larger lesion in cancers that are typically difficult to diagnose, such as mesothelioma. More...
Kinetics of Soluble Mesothelin in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma During Treatment. (2/6/2009)
Previous data suggested that serum levels of soluble mesothelin (SM) are related to tumor size and may have prognostic significance in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We tested the hypothesis that this marker could also be useful for monitoring response to treatment. More...
Malignant pleural diseases: diagnosis and treatment. (2008)
Researchers evaluate efficacy of diagnostic procedures, results of surgery, and complications in malignant pleural diseases. More...
Kinetics of Soluble Mesothelin in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma During Treatment. (2/6/2009)
Previous data suggested that serum levels of soluble mesothelin (SM) are related to tumor size and may have prognostic significance in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). We tested the hypothesis that this marker could also be useful for monitoring response to treatment. More...
VW Rusch "A Proposed New International TNM Staging System for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma" Chest 1995;108(4): 1122-8 (Posted 5/21/04)
- 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)