Metastasis is the pathological process by which a disease, especially cancer, spreads from one organ of the body to the other. The word metastasis, having its origin from a Greek word, means ‘displacement’. In situ cancer cells, that is the cells at the original site, have the tendency to break away from the primary tumour, infiltrate the circulatory system and give rise to a new focus also known as metastasize.

Basic Information

When a normal cell undergoes progressive genetic transformation, it gives rise to a cancerous stem cell possessing a malignant phenotype. These cells are capable of multiplying at an abnormally alarming rate with the help of mitosis. This increases the number of cancer cells at the primary site and gives rise to an abnormal mass of tissue that serves no purpose. This mass of abnormal tissues is called a primary tumour in clinical terms.

Tumours

Tumours are classified into malignant tumours and benign tumours. Only malignant tumours have the capacity to spread out from one organ of the body to the other organs. Tumours having metastatic origin are usually a very common syndrome in the later phases of cancer, when it spreads to the different organs of the body. When the cells of the primary tumour metastasize, the new tumour is called secondary or metastatic tumour. The cells of the secondary tumour are similar to the ones of the primary. Hence, if any cell from the tumour of the lung metastases on to other organs, it is still known as lung cancer.

Steps

The pathological process of metastasis is made up of a number of complicated and well defined steps. It comprises of the stages in which the cancer cells exit the primary tumour to infiltrate other organs. The detached cells from the primary tumour flow through the circulatory system- blood or lymph. These cells then attach to the walls of any other organ and start to degrade proteins, thus making up an extra cellular matrix. The matrix differentiates the cancer cells from tissues of the organ they have perched upon. During the journey from one organ to the other, the cancerous cells undergo some change in their effort to evade the body’s immune system successfully. This makes the treatment for metastatic cancer even more difficult.

Angiogenesis

One of the most crucial factors for the growth and development of a metastatic tumour is the presence of a meshwork of blood capillaries. The process in which this meshwork of blood vessels is formed is known as tumour angiogenesis. These blood vessels are responsible for the supply of oxygen and other nutrients essential to the survival of the tumour. Angiogenesis inhibitors can thus restrict the spread of metastasis in the body and elongate the survival period by a certain degree.

Treatments for metastatic cancer

There are several modes of treatment available for metastasized cancer. It may be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy or biological therapy. The selection pertaining to the method of treatment depends upon the stage of metastasis, the location and type of the primary tumour, age of the patient, his sex, and previous medical history. The chances of prolonging the life of a patient are greatly increased if the cancerous tumour is diagnosed at an earlier stage. The spread of the disease can be stopped with much success if there is an early detection of the disease.

The healthy way out

But all is not yet lost. There are many preventive measures that you can take in order to combat diseases. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and incorporating a few minutes of exercise in your daily regimen often goes a long way in maintaining you in proper shape. Exercising regularly and properly also keeps your organs fit and running. It also improves your skeletal muscle and bone strength. Also make it a point to avoid harmful substances such as cigarettes, alcohol or any kind of chewable tobacco as they contain numerous carcinogens that may hamper your health.

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