The process by which cancer spread to other parts of the body is known as metastasis. This occurs when cancer from the primary site where it originally starts can spread either locally affecting the nearby tissue or regionally to nearby lymph nodes, tissues or organs. For several types of cancer, it is also known as stage IV cancer which is an advanced form. When the metastatic cancer cells are examined under the microscope it has features like that of primary cancer and not like the cells where the cancer is found. For instance, when breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body such as the lungs, it is known as metastasis breast cancer and not lung cancer. Several forms of cancer can spread to any part of the body although some are more likely to affect certain sites than the others. The common location cancer tends to spread includes the bone, liver and the lung. When the cancer spread to other parts of the body, the new tumors are only able to develop when the conditions are favorable for them. Some of the metastatic cancer cells can continue to remain inactive for several years at a distant site before they can grow again. Some of the types of cancer that can metastasis include breast cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, uterus cancer and prostate cancer. In most of the cases, metastasis cancer cannot be cured when it has spread. However, the treatment focuses on slowing the progression of cancer, to relieve the symptoms and to prolong the life of the individual.
Metastatic breast cancer
Also classified as stage 4 breast cancer, it can spread to other organs such as the lungs, liver, bones or the brain. The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer are based on where the cancer has spread. Metastasis in the bone can cause severe pain, swelling and bones that can easily fracture. Metastasis to the brain can cause a persistent headache or pressure to the head, vision disturbances, seizures, nausea and personality changes. In the case of liver involvement, it can cause jaundice, itchy skin, an elevated level of enzymes in the liver, nausea and loss of appetite. Cancer spreading to the lungs can cause a chronic cough, chest pain and show abnormal chest x-ray.
Metastatic kidney cancer
The common sites of metastatic kidney cancer are the adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver and the lungs. Some of the common symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, a lump on the back or the side, low back pain on one side, anemia and weight loss. The survival of individuals when kidney cancer has spread to other organs has been estimated at 41% for low-risk groups and 8% for the high-risk groups of the 5 year survival rates.
Metastatic melanoma
Melanoma is cancer of the skin that begins in the cells responsible for the production of the pigment melanin that gives the skin, hair and the eyes the color. The common sites involved in the metastatic melanoma are the liver, lungs, bones and the brain. When melanoma has spread, detecting the original type is very difficult. Hence, early detection is crucial otherwise the treatment can be extremely difficult.
References
https://www.cancer.gov/types/metastatic-cancer
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/metastatic-breast-cancer
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/advanced-cancer/what-is.html
