What is metastatic cancer?

Metastatic cancer is the cancer that has spread from where it started to somewhere else in the body. The most common metastatic site of cancer is bone, liver, and lung.

What is metastatic cancer?

Metastatic cancer is usually stage IV of the disease.

Metastatic cancer is the cancer that has spread from where it started to somewhere else in the body. Metastatic cancer has the same name as the original cancer (secondary cancer) . For example, breast cancer spreads to the lungs and forms a metastatic tumor, called metastatic breast cancer.

According to the microscope, metastatic cancer cells often look like the cells of the original cancer. Moreover, metastatic and cell cancer cells of the original cancer usually have some common molecular features, such as expression of proteins or the appearance of specific chromosomal changes.

Although some types of metastatic cancers can be cured with current treatments, that is very rare. The main treatment goal for metastatic cancer is to control the development of cancer or to reduce symptoms caused by cancer. In some cases, metastatic cancer treatments may help prolong life.

Which organ cancer often spreads?

Bone, lungs, brain, liver are the most frequently metastatic parts.

The organ where the cancer is most frequently metastasized is the bones, liver and lungs. Although most cancers can spread to many different parts of the body, there are some parts that are more likely to spread than others.

The table below shows the most frequently metastatic organs for some types of cancer:

Type of cancer Main position is usually metastatic Bladder Bone, liver, lungs Breast Bone, brain, liver, lung Colorectal Liver, lungs, peritoneum Kidney Adrenal glands, bones, brain, liver, lungs Lungs Adrenal glands Bone, brain, liver, lungs Left Bone, brain, liver, lung, skin / muscle skin Ovary liver, lung, peritoneum Pancreas Liver, lung, peritoneum Adrenal gland Adrenal glands, bone, liver, lung thick Liver, lungs, peritoneum Thyroid Bone, liver, lung Uterus Bone, liver, lungs, peritoneum, vagina

Symptoms of metastatic cancer

Some people with metastatic tumors have no symptoms, but only detected through X-rays or other tests.

Metastatic brain cancer often causes headaches, poor memory, etc.

When symptoms of metastatic cancer occur, symptoms and frequency often depend on the size and location of the metastases. For example, cancer that spreads to bones can cause pain and lead to fractures. Cancer spreading to the brain can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches, seizures, and loss of balance. Shortness of breath can be a sign of lung metastasis. Swelling of the stomach or jaundice may indicate cancer has spread to the liver.

Sometimes, the patient only detects the original cancer (secondary cancer) when the metastatic tumor causes symptoms. For example, people with prostate cancer spread to the pelvis causing lower back pain before symptoms from the initial prostate.

Treatment of metastatic cancer

Metastatic cancer can be treated with systemic therapy (chemotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy), topical therapy (surgery, radiation therapy), or combination of treatments.

Treatment options generally depend on the main type of cancer; size, position and number of metastatic tumors; Age and general health of patients; and the treatments used.