Stage III of the Butchart mesothelioma staging system is characterized by the presence of mesothelioma in the diaphragm, the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) and/or lymph nodes throughout the body. As the malignant cells spread throughout the body, one of the first places they attack is the diaphragm – the sheet of muscle which extends across the bottom of the ribcage and separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity. Stage III of the Butchart mesothelioma staging system is characterized by the presence of mesothelioma in the diaphragm, the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) and/or lymph nodes throughout the body.
As the malignant cells spread throughout the body, one of the first places they attack is the diaphragm – the sheet of muscle which extends across the bottom of the ribcage and separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
The presence of tumors there begins to affect the patient’s ability to breathe; when combined with pressure on the lungs from mesothelial tumors and excess fluid, the impact upon patient ventilation begins to become severe.
The peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining) also becomes riddled with tumors at this stage, and tumors and malignant cells spread to distant lymph nodes as well.
The spread and growth of malignant cells into the diaphragm, peritoneum and lymph nodes defines Butchart Stage III mesothelioma.
