Table of Contents
What causes metastasis?
It occurs when cancer cells break off from the original tumor, spread through the bloodstream or lymph vessels to another part of the body, and form new tumors. Nearby lymph nodes are the most common place for cancer to metastasize. Cancer cells also tend to spread to the liver, brain, lungs, and bones.
Why do cancer cells metastasize?
Cancer metastasizes due to several factors, namely attack by the immune system, lack of oxygen and necessary nutrients, large amounts of lactic acid produced by glycolysis and increased cell death. Therefore, the majority of the presently available treatments for cancer also bear the potential to induce metastasis.
How can you prevent metastasis?
Typically, metastatic cancer requires systemic therapy, or medications given by mouth or injected into the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy. Other treatments may include immunotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of these.
Does chemotherapy prevent metastasis?
Chemo is considered a systemic treatment because the drugs travels throughout the body, and can kill cancer cells that have spread (metastasized) to parts of the body far away from the original (primary) tumor. This makes it different from treatments like surgery and radiation.
What are the two ways metastasis can occur?
Metastases can occur in three ways: They can grow directly into the tissue surrounding the tumor; Cells can travel through the bloodstream to distant locations; or Cells can travel through the lymph system to nearby or distant lymph nodes.
What is the mechanism of metastasis?
Mechanisms of metastasis Obstacles to metastasis. Tumor transformation. Dissociation (separation and local invasion) Transformed malignant clones must separate from the parent tumor if distant spread is to be realized. Intravasation and dissemination. Stasis, adhesion, and extravasation. Proliferation and growth. Conclusions.
How does cancer spread or metastasis?
Brain metastases occur when cancer cells break away from their original location. The cells may travel through the bloodstream or the lymph system and spread (metastasize) to the brain where they begin to multiply. Metastatic cancer that spreads from its original location is known by the name of the primary cancer.
How to check metastasis?
there is one type that can be screened for