Metastasis - Cancers

 Metastasis

Metastasis is how a cancer spreads to different parts of your body. Metastases most commonly develop when cancer cells break away from the main tumor and enter the body's bloodstream or lymphatic system. These systems carry fluids around the body. This means that the cancer cells can travel far from the original tumor and form new tumors when they settle and grow in a different part of the body. There are several ways in which a cancer cells can spread to other parts of your body. A common way is through bodily fluids, such as blood, lymph fluid, saliva or tears. But sometimes cancers can also spread directly into another part of your body after forming in one place.

Common symptoms of metastasis

Cancerous tumors may not cause any signs or symptoms when they start. This is referred to as primary tumor. If a tumor occurs at some other site than the original one, metastasis could occur and lead to development of various symptoms. The spread of cancerous tumors can happen in many different ways. They may be spread through blood, lymph, organs and even lungs. Although most types of cancers spread via blood supply and tend to appear in multiple organs at the same time with various symptoms.

• Cancer that has spread to the bone.

• Cancer that has spread to the brain

• Cancer that has spread to the liver.

• Cancer that has spread to the lungs

Metastasis treatment

Treatment depends on:

• The original cancer and where it started

• How much the cancer has spread and where it is located

• Your age and health

• Your personal treatment choices

Researchers are constantly working to learn more about how metastases may differ from the original tumor at the molecular and genetic level. This is why treatment for metastasis can be different from the treatment used for the original tumor.

How well any treatment works depends on:

• The type of cancer

• How far the cancer has spread and where it is located

• How much cancer there is

• If the cancer is growing quickly or slowly

• The specific treatment

• How the cancer responds to treatment.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are research studies that are investigating treatments that are not yet available to the public. Clinical trials are the main way doctors find new and effective treatments for cancer, including metastatic cancer. A clinical trial might be the main treatment approach for metastases, or just one of the options. Learn more about clinical trials and talk with your health care team about what clinical trials may be open to you.

Living with metastatic cancer

When you live with cancer for many months or years, many people think of it like a chronic, or long-term, illness. Like someone with any chronic illness – such as diabetes or heart problems – getting this ongoing medical care and treatment is crucial. This can also be called "extended treatment."

Be sure to follow your extended treatment plan so it works as well as possible. It is also important to get the support you need for the physical, emotional, and social effects of living with cancer. Learn more about living with chronic cancer.

 ASHK KUMAR PATUR.