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Mesothelioma Metastasis

Metastasisis a medical term used by oncologists to describe a cancer that has spread beyond its point of origin to distant parts of the body. This is a particular danger with mesothelioma; metastasis is a significant part of this highly aggressive form of cancer, even though it is slow to develop. Mesothelioma cells spread quite easily though the blood stream and the lymphatic system; cancer can take root in virtually anyplace in the body. This is particularly true of pleural mesothelioma, since its proximity to the lungs – where CO2 is exchanged for oxygen – provides easy access to the circulatory system.

Stages of Mesothelioma Cancer

By the time mesothelioma has spread to other parts of the body, it is said to have reached Stage 4, which is the terminal phase of the disease. At Stage 1, the tumor is small and localized; at Stage 2, it has spread to both sides of the chest. Stage 3 involves adjacent organs and the lymph nodes.

Stage 3 mesothelioma may be treatable in some cases with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy; however, metastasized mesothelioma is inoperable, and the prognosis is usually grim. Unfortunately, until recently, most cases of mesothelioma were not diagnosed until they had reached the point of metastasis. One sad reason for this lies in the nature of the profit-driven health care system, which discourages people from seeking treatment until they have become extremely sick. Another part of it has to do with the inherent difficulty in detecting mesothelioma; not only do early symptoms resemble those of other, less serious respiratory diseases, the tumor itself spreads in a flat, sheet-like manner rather than forming a lump.

One promising development in diagnosing mesothelioma before it has begun to spread lies in a new product from a biotech company called MesoMark. This serum has been able to detect the protein "markers" that indicate the presence of cancerous cells and may very well assist pathologists in diagnosing the disease in its early stages. Even so, mesothelioma metastasis is almost inevitable.

Otherwise, the only treatments that can be offered to Stage 4 mesothelioma patients are palliative ones that can ease pain and discomfort, making their days a little easier. These are palliative treatments that may remove parts of the cancer that are putting pressure on internal organs and preventing the build-up of lymphatic fluids.

Sources

1. http://sup.ultrakohl.com/Uscap/uscap05/meso1.pdf
2. http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=thoracic&doc=3594
3. Beyerm H.L., at al. "MESOMARK: A Potential Test For Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma." Clinical Chemistry, vol. 54 no. 4 (July 2006)