Facts About Metastatic Cancer

Facts About Metastatic Cancer
By Sanjita Chouhan

The process by which cancer spreads from its original location to another part of the body is called Metastasis. Cancerous cells found in a different organ of an individual can also be similar to the original manifestation in terms of some proteins and chromosomal variations. For instance, Colon cancer that spreads to the Lungs is actually the extended Colon cancer and not Lung cancer. Despite its propensity to spread to different parts of the body, cancer tends to spread to one site more often than others. If properly treated, Metastasis can be cured in some cases but sadly it is mostly fatal. The regimen that is available can only prolong life for months or maybe a year or two.

Common Metastasis sites for different cancer types are identifiable. They usually spread from the breast to the lungs and then to the liver and bones or from the colon to the liver, peritoneum and the lungs.

The various stages of Metastasis-
• Local invasion of cancer cells on normal nearby tissue
• Intravasation, where they enter nearby lymph or blood vessels
• Circulation through Lymphatic system and Bloodstream to other body parts
• Arrest and Extravasations of distant capillaries to move into surrounding tissues
• Proliferation of small tumors called Micrometastases
• Angiogenesis or stimulation of new blood vessels for continued tumor growth

All cancer cells cannot metastasize even if they succeed in reaching another location in the body. At times they can lie dormant and revitalize after years. Metastasis can be found out through X-rays, CT Scan or MRI.

Metastasis symptoms-
• Bone cancer is painful and often results in fractures.
• Lung Metastasis is characterized by shortness of breath.
• Liver Metastasis can lead to abdominal swelling or jaundice.
• An affected Brain can cause headaches, seizures and unsteadiness.
• Sometimes original Prostate cancer is itself detected after Bone Metastasis causes lower back pain.

Treatment for Metastatic Cancer-

Chemotherapy, Biological, Targeted or Hormonal therapy, Surgery and Radiation or a combination of these treatments is known to provide relief to patients. Treatment is provided after bringing into account a lot of considerations such as the type of primary cancer, size, number and location of metastatic tumors, patient's age, his general health and the types of illness he has had in the past. However, even after treatment is provided it is possible for a person to be diagnosed with cancer a second time. It can be a new primary cancer but most often it is Metastatic Cancer. In some cases it happens that primary cancer may not be identified even when the symptoms of Metastatic Cancer are evident. Even in such cases there is hope for effective treatment.

Cure for cancer-

In the early stages, cancer is curable, but when it turns metastatic the patient's life is pushed to the edge. Suzanne Lindley was told in 1998, she had six months to live with colon cancer that had metastasized into the liver. 14 years later, she goes about her daily chores; aligned with an emerging group that has fought the disease effectively. She has survived like other member because they responded well to targeted therapies, drug combinations, surgical options and various radiation treatments. There will be others who will join this outfit with a research backing, which is actively transforming successful clinical trials into life giving models to transform the crab of a zodiac sign, cancer into livid individuals.

Sanjita Chouhan is a passionate writer. She loves to write informative articles on various health issues

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