Mesothelioma Staging or Stages

When a person is diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a physician will attempt to determine the "stage" of the cancer.  Malignant mesothelioma stages are grouped into localized and advanced.

Localized malignant mesothelioma (stage I)

• Stage I - In localized malignant mesothelioma, cancer is found in the lining of the chest wall and may also be found in the lining of the lung, the lining of the diaphragm, or the lining of the sac that covers the heart on the same side of the chest. 

Advanced malignant mesothelioma (stage II, stage III, and stage IV)

• Stage II - cancer is found in the lining of the chest wall and the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest. Cancer may also be found in the lining of the lung, the lining of the diaphragm, or the lining of the sac that covers the heart on the same side of the chest.
• Stage III - cancer has spread to any of the following areas:
  • The chest wall
  • The mediastinum
  • The heart
  • Beyond the diaphragm
  • The peritone

Cancer may have also spread to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest or outside the chest.

• Stage IV - cancer has spread to distant organs or tissues.

Recurrent malignant mesothelioma is cancer that has recurred after it has been treated. The cancer may come back in the chest or abdomen or in other parts of the body.

National Cancer Institute Mesothelioma Staging Information