Brigham
The Brigham staging system emphasizes surgical removability of the tumor. While it is the newest of the three staging systems for pleural mesothelioma, it is used the least.
- Stage 1. The mesothelioma can be removed surgically, and there are no involved lymph glands.
- Stage 2. The tumor can still be removed, but there is mesothelioma in the lymph nodes.
- Stage 3. The mesothelioma cannot be removed, and it has involved the chest wall, heart, diaphragm, or abdominal cavity. Lymph nodes may or may not have tumor.
- Stage 4. The mesothelioma cannot be surgically removed and it has metastasized, or spread, all over the body.
In this system, like the others, all stages except Stage 1 are considered advanced.
Dr. Kaplan