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.
There are different ways in which cancer spreads. For instance, it can invade the immediate surrounding tissues directly as it grows out of its locality. The cells can also be transported through blood to distant areas including the lungs, bone, liver and brain among others. Metastasis can also happen through the lymphatic system via the lymph nodes. Tumors that grow beyond their initial locality are typically classified as stage four in most cancer types.
A person who already has cancer and develops a persistent cough or breathlessness may be suspected to have metastasis to the lungs. Spread to the bones typically manifests with frequent fractures with very minimal trauma causing the fracture. Involvement of the brain may be indicated by convulsions, headache, dizziness and so on. Of note and perhaps a fortunate fact is that these symptoms do not always spell metastasis and could just be a different illness altogether.
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.
The unfortunate thing about chemotherapy is its inability to distinguish the normal cells from the cancerous ones. This explains why patients on chemotherapeutic agents experience tremendous hair loss and often look sicker. The importance of concurrent psychological care can therefore not be overemphasized.
Taking the above into account, research studies grapple with the challenge of producing an agent that will only act on the abnormal cells. One study has come very close to achieving this goal. In this study, the most immediate cells surrounding the metastatic lesion are injected with a special chemical agent whose purpose is to influence the size of the 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 tumors are known to be familial while those that are not inherited are still a mystery. Both undergo certain genetic mutations that make them behave the way they do. Scientific research has taken time to study the DNA of abnormal cells in comparison to the normal human DNA. The ultimate goal is to help in disease prevention and early management of such diseases in the next generation.
There are different ways in which cancer spreads. For instance, it can invade the immediate surrounding tissues directly as it grows out of its locality. The cells can also be transported through blood to distant areas including the lungs, bone, liver and brain among others. Metastasis can also happen through the lymphatic system via the lymph nodes. Tumors that grow beyond their initial locality are typically classified as stage four in most cancer types.
A person who already has cancer and develops a persistent cough or breathlessness may be suspected to have metastasis to the lungs. Spread to the bones typically manifests with frequent fractures with very minimal trauma causing the fracture. Involvement of the brain may be indicated by convulsions, headache, dizziness and so on. Of note and perhaps a fortunate fact is that these symptoms do not always spell metastasis and could just be a different illness altogether.
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.
The unfortunate thing about chemotherapy is its inability to distinguish the normal cells from the cancerous ones. This explains why patients on chemotherapeutic agents experience tremendous hair loss and often look sicker. The importance of concurrent psychological care can therefore not be overemphasized.
Taking the above into account, research studies grapple with the challenge of producing an agent that will only act on the abnormal cells. One study has come very close to achieving this goal. In this study, the most immediate cells surrounding the metastatic lesion are injected with a special chemical agent whose purpose is to influence the size of the 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 tumors are known to be familial while those that are not inherited are still a mystery. Both undergo certain genetic mutations that make them behave the way they do. Scientific research has taken time to study the DNA of abnormal cells in comparison to the normal human DNA. The ultimate goal is to help in disease prevention and early management of such diseases in the next generation.
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