Metastasis simply describes the spread of cancerous cells from their origin to near and far areas in the human body. Tumors grow and spread rapidly if not caught at the very initial stage. It becomes very challenging to completely wipe off the disease once it occupies larger areas. Cancer metastasis research remains crucial in finding the very much needed new lease of life for the affected patients.
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.
While it is much easier to treat tumor cells limited to one spot, it is almost impossible to completely get rid of those that have set camp in multiple areas in the body. The surgeon cannot go about excising every swelling they find on and in the body as these can cause deformity and can also compromise functionality. The mainstay of treatment in metastatic cancer is chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The goal is mainly to stop the cells from multiplying further.
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.
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.
The metastatic tumour present in the mice was able to shrink to almost undetectable levels. Clinical trials are going on and once the drugs are approved, they will help a great number of people struggling with metastatic disease.
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.
While it is much easier to treat tumor cells limited to one spot, it is almost impossible to completely get rid of those that have set camp in multiple areas in the body. The surgeon cannot go about excising every swelling they find on and in the body as these can cause deformity and can also compromise functionality. The mainstay of treatment in metastatic cancer is chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The goal is mainly to stop the cells from multiplying further.
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.
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.
The metastatic tumour present in the mice was able to shrink to almost undetectable levels. Clinical trials are going on and once the drugs are approved, they will help a great number of people struggling with metastatic disease.
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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