The Butchart mesothelioma staging system is a four-stage disease management system for use in cases of pleural mesothelioma.
Stage characterization is accomplished using data from computed tomography scans (CT scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), or positron emission tomography scans (PET scans), along with physical examination and biopsy when necessary.
Staging is characterized by the following criteria:
- Stage I: mesothelioma is present on only one side of the chest pleura.
- Stage II: mesothelioma is present across the chest wall, in or adjacent to the heart or esophagus, in the pleura on the opposite side of the chest, and/or in the chest lymph nodes.
- Stage III: mesothelioma is present in the diaphragm and the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or has spread to lymph nodes around the body.
- Stage IV: mesothelioma is present in many organs and other tissues.
