In simple words, metastasis is the spread of cancer from the primary site (site of origin) to other adjacent and distant sites in the body. This happens when the condition is not detected early and treated. Once it spreads, it is very difficult to cure and the lifespan of the patient reduced significantly. One can only do so much to ensure they stay alive and comfortable. For this reason, cancer metastasis research has been intensified globally with the hope of finding a breakthrough to this killer disease.
Cancerous spread can be spread to other organs through blood vessels, the lymphatic system or direct encroachment on the immediate environment. Tumors tend to spread to organs such as the skeletal system, the lungs, the liver and the brain. Unfortunately, the survival of the patient is greatly threatened once these organs are affected since they play a crucial role in the day to day functioning of the human body.
Symptoms to suggest that a tumor has metastasized depend on where the cancer spreads to. Lung metastasis can be suspected if the patient complains of cough, shortness of breath or blood in their sputum. Liver involvement is suggested by yellowness of the skin and eyes. If the brain is involved, the patient may complain of dizziness and headaches. It should, however, be noted that these are very nonspecific symptoms that could indicate diseases other than a tumor.
Metastatic lesions are difficult to excise surgically especially when they are located in multiple systems in the body because not all them may be picked, not to mention the unfavourable cosmetic outcome. Chemotherapy is therefore the preferred method of managing metastasis. The drugs used here work by directly destroying the abnormal cells.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy comes with its own adverse effects. This is because in the process of killing unwanted cells, the drugs end up destroying the normal cells too. Patients may lose their hair in the course of treatment not to mention nausea and vomiting. A strong support system is very crucial in the prolonged survival of cancer victims.
Because of the lack of selectivity with chemotherapy drugs available in the market today, research scientists world over are faced with the task of coming up with treatment regimens that will only target the neoplastic cells in the body. A positive response has already been demonstrated among mice that were injected with an experimental formulation.This narrows down its action to the unique environment surrounding the metastatic lesion.
By influencing the tumor micro-environment, it was observed that the metastatic tumor responded by markedly reducing in size. The good news about such a study is that once it is proven to be effective, the formulation can be applied in the management of masses of metastatic disease survivors and not just a single person.
Some research studies focus on genetic mutation of cancer cells as they grow and their response to treatment. In these studies, the core of the cell, also known as DNA is extracted from the normal and abnormal cell. Their characteristics are then evaluated in a special laboratory. This is done for different cancers and it can help identify which ones are inherited and which are not. By so doing, the results obtained help the future generation to be better prepared in terms of early detection through screening.
Cancerous spread can be spread to other organs through blood vessels, the lymphatic system or direct encroachment on the immediate environment. Tumors tend to spread to organs such as the skeletal system, the lungs, the liver and the brain. Unfortunately, the survival of the patient is greatly threatened once these organs are affected since they play a crucial role in the day to day functioning of the human body.
Symptoms to suggest that a tumor has metastasized depend on where the cancer spreads to. Lung metastasis can be suspected if the patient complains of cough, shortness of breath or blood in their sputum. Liver involvement is suggested by yellowness of the skin and eyes. If the brain is involved, the patient may complain of dizziness and headaches. It should, however, be noted that these are very nonspecific symptoms that could indicate diseases other than a tumor.
Metastatic lesions are difficult to excise surgically especially when they are located in multiple systems in the body because not all them may be picked, not to mention the unfavourable cosmetic outcome. Chemotherapy is therefore the preferred method of managing metastasis. The drugs used here work by directly destroying the abnormal cells.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy comes with its own adverse effects. This is because in the process of killing unwanted cells, the drugs end up destroying the normal cells too. Patients may lose their hair in the course of treatment not to mention nausea and vomiting. A strong support system is very crucial in the prolonged survival of cancer victims.
Because of the lack of selectivity with chemotherapy drugs available in the market today, research scientists world over are faced with the task of coming up with treatment regimens that will only target the neoplastic cells in the body. A positive response has already been demonstrated among mice that were injected with an experimental formulation.This narrows down its action to the unique environment surrounding the metastatic lesion.
By influencing the tumor micro-environment, it was observed that the metastatic tumor responded by markedly reducing in size. The good news about such a study is that once it is proven to be effective, the formulation can be applied in the management of masses of metastatic disease survivors and not just a single person.
Some research studies focus on genetic mutation of cancer cells as they grow and their response to treatment. In these studies, the core of the cell, also known as DNA is extracted from the normal and abnormal cell. Their characteristics are then evaluated in a special laboratory. This is done for different cancers and it can help identify which ones are inherited and which are not. By so doing, the results obtained help the future generation to be better prepared in terms of early detection through screening.
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