2008-05-4
The N and M stages of Malignant Mesothelioma
Before the actual mesothelioma treatments commences, the doctor will look not only for the T-staging but also for the N, M staging and final determination of the stage of the mesothelioma from which you are suffering.
The N staging is divided into four parts from N0 through N3. The N0 stage indicates that though you might be suffering from the disease, there is no spread to lymph nodes. The N1 indicates that infection has spread to the lymph nodes located on the same side of the chest as the mesothelioma.
The N2 stage mesothelioma diagnosis indicates that the infections have affected the lymph nodes that are located around the windpipe to the left as well as the right bronchi. In this case the infections might also have extended to the chest bones that are located in front of your heart. However the affected nodes are on the same side of the lung affected with cancer.
Stage N3 indicates that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes adjacent to the collarbone located on either sides of your body and may be to the hilar and mediastinal nodes that is placed on the opposite to the lung that is infected with cancer.
M stages for mesothelioma come in two categories like M0 and M1. The M0 indicates that the disease has not yet affected any distant part of your body. On the other hand M1 is the stage where distant parts of your body are also affected by the cancer.