Metastasized Cancer

Metastasized cancer is a term unfamiliar to most people. When the cancer in your body has metastasized, it means it has spread from its original location throughout the body to an organ not adjacent. Although the cancer may have spread from its original location, it is still considered the same form of cancer from where it started.

For example if you have stomach cancer, and the cancerous cells metastasize and affect your liver, it is still considered stomach cancer. This is because the cells will behave much like they did in the stomach originally. is not uncommon. It often occurs by travelling through the blood stream or the lymphatic system. In some cases it may even travel through both.

Certain metastasized cancer will occur more frequently than others. Where the cancer chooses to spread depends largely on the accessibility to other locations. Common sites where metastasis occurs include breast cancer to bone, lung, liver and brain; lung cancer to adrenal gland, liver, bone and brain; prostate cancer to bone and lymph nodes; and colon cancer to liver and lungs.

The prognosis of metastasized cancer depends greatly on the spread of the cancer and its severity. Once the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the person’s chances of survival dramatically decrease. While this may make the cancer seem hopeless, it is possible to undergo treatment to control the disease and any side effects as well as prolong the length of survival.
Treatment for metastasized cancer is very similar to other cancers. Common treatment methods include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery. In many cases, doctors use multiple treatments to fight back against the cancer cells. Which treatment is used for metastasized cancer depends on the location, size and type of cancer as well as the age of the individual, their health and what previous treatments they have undergone.

Metastasized Cancer

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