What is metastasis?
A metastasis is the spread of a tumor to another site in the body through local growth, the circulatory system or lymph nodes.
The most common site for metastatic cancer is the nearby lymph nodes, although tumor cells also often spread to the brain, liver, lungs and bones. On the other hand, there are some types of cancer that are more likely to spread to certain organs. Melanoma, for example, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, tends to spread to the lungs and brain. Prostate cancer, on the other hand, spreads to the bones.
Differences between invasion and metastasis
Invasion is the local spread, where the primitive tumor is, which as it grows invades the surrounding tissues, and metastasis is when the tumor cells enter the bloodstream, move and implant themselves in another site.
Are there symptoms of cancer metastasis?
No. The tumor or metastasis cause symptoms when they are located in a place that causes some alteration, nerve compression, fracture or discomfort. These are the symptoms caused by the growth.
The symptoms of metastatic cancer vary according to the type of cancer and where it has spread. In cancer that has spread to the brain, symptoms usually include headache, seizures and vision problems. In cancer that has spread to the liver, patients often have jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, loss of weight or appetite, and swelling in the legs.
Is there treatment for metastatic cancer?
There are general treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or immunotherapy. These are all drugs that are given to the body and are targeted to the site of the tumor lesions.
The possibility of treating metastatic cancer depends on its primary origin and the areas where it has spread. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used to shrink the tumor.