Try adjusting your type
14th October, 2009
European Survey on Standards of Care in paediatric oncology centres. J. R. Kowalczyk, M. Samardakiewicz, K. Pritchard-Jones, R. Ladenstein, S. Essiaf, E. Fitzgerald, G. Petrarulo, G. Vassal - EJC , Volume 61, pp 11-19
8th December, 2014
The purpose of this website is to provide good and clear information about the long-term effects of childhood cancer and to refer to the various late-effects outpatient clinics (LATER outpatient clinics) that exist in the Netherlands.
8th September, 2015
Cancer in young people is rare, but it is still a major health issue in Europe. Each year, more than 6,000 young people in Europe die of cancer. There are more than 300,000 European childhood cancer survivors (in 2020, they will be nearly half a million): two-thirds of them have some late side effects of treatment, that are severe and impact on the daily life of half of those affected.
Metastasis is a medical term referring to the process by which cancer cells spread from the initial tumor site to other parts of the body via the blood or lymph system, forming secondary tumors or ‘metastases’. This ability largely defines a cancer’s aggressiveness and has significant implications for treatment strategies and prognosis.
Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, whether they’ve had it themselves or know someone who has. Cancer is a term that encompasses many diseases, all characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. One term that often arises when discussing this disease is “metastasis”, a significant factor in determining an individual’s prognosis and treatment course. Understanding metastasis is crucial for anyone interested in the progression and treatment of cancer.
Metastasis is a complex process that takes a cancer cell from its primary site to a different part of the body, where it establishes a new tumor. It’s derived from the Greek words for “change” and “position,” which succinctly describes what happens during metastatic spread.
The process of metastasis begins when cancer cells in the primary tumor break away and move through the body, using either the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. They then settle in another part of the body and grow into secondary tumors.
Cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells, resulting in a malignant tumor. On the other hand, metastasis is the process by which cancer spreads from the original tumor site to other areas of the body. Therefore, while all metastatic diseases are cancerous, not all cancers metastasize.
Local metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
Regional metastasis involves the spread of cancer cells to lymph nodes or tissues farther away from the primary tumor but within the same region of the body.
Distant metastasis, the most advanced form, signifies that cancer has spread to organs or tissues far from the primary tumor’s original location.
For instance, for a person with colon cancer, local metastasis could be within the colon walls and nearby lymph nodes. Regional might reach to the liver, while distant metastasis might involve the lungs or bones.
Cancer stages, typically numbered from 0 to 4, represent the size, location, and extent of the disease in the body. The staging system helps doctors assess how far cancer has progressed and plan the best treatment.
The presence and extent of metastasis significantly affect cancer staging. Stage 4 typically designate cancers that have metastasized to distant sites in the body.
Metastatic cancer usually involves a less favorable prognosis. Metastasis often indicates advanced disease, making it more challenging to treat and manage.
Common sites of metastasis often include the liver, bones, lungs, and brain, dependent on the primary cancer type.
Various factors determine where cancer metastasizes, such as blood flow patterns, the presence of ‘receptors’ or ‘adhesion molecules’, and the tumor’s ability to survive and grow in different environments.
Prostate cancer, for instance, often metastasizes to the bones, and lung cancer frequently metastasizes to the brain.
Diagnostic tools for metastasis include imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans, and sometimes biopsies to confirm findings.
Metastasis can often be hard to diagnose because symptoms could be non-specific, and not all metastatic tumors are large enough to be detected on imaging.
Advancements in medical technology, such as liquid biopsies and artificial intelligence, are promising tools for early and accurate metastasis detection.
While treatment depends on the cancer type and its stage, common treatments for metastatic cancer include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery.
The treatment varies depending on where the cancer has metastasized. For instance, bone metastases may be treated with radiation therapy or surgery, while brain metastases may require a different approach.
New treatment approaches, such as CAR-T cell therapy, are showing promise in the fight against metastatic cancer.
Living with metastatic cancer can be physically and emotionally challenging—pain, fatigue, stress, and anxiety can be common experiences.
Support from healthcare providers, mental health professionals, support groups, and loved ones can help manage the challenges.
Healthy lifestyle habits, maintaining open communication with your healthcare team, and educating yourself about the disease can help in coping.
Metastasis is a critical aspect of cancer, significantly impacting prognosis and treatment plans. While understanding this complex process may be overwhelming, it’s an essential part of comprehending cancer’s journey in the body.
Knowledge is empowerment, and understanding metastasis can better equip you when facing a cancer diagnosis, either for yourself or a loved one. Remember, the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to discuss your options with your healthcare team.
Cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells, forming a primary tumor. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer from the original site to other parts of the body.
While cancer can metastasize to any part, certain types of cancer tend to spread to specific organs more often.
Metastasis typically occurs in advanced stages of cancer, often associated with stage 4.
Signs could include pain, fatigue, or symptoms specific to the organ where cancer has spread, such as shortness of breath if it has spread to the lungs.
Although metastatic cancer cannot usually be cured, it can often be managed with treatments to control the disease, increase survival, and improve quality of life.
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