Understanding Metastasis

Oct 6

Understanding Metastasis: How Cancer Spreads

At CMN Hospital, we specialize in advanced therapies for patients who have been diagnosed with metastatic cancer—cancer that has spread beyond its original site to other areas of the body. Many of our patients seek our expertise because we offer comprehensive and personalized care that focuses on strengthening the body’s natural defenses and providing innovative treatments that minimize the burden on the body. We understand the unique challenges faced by those dealing with metastasis, and our goal is to offer hope and a renewed quality of life through our specialized protocols.

What is Metastasis?

Metastasis refers to cancer’s ability to spread from its original location to other parts of the body. Cancer can spread locally, moving into nearby normal tissue, or regionally, reaching nearby lymph nodes or organs. When it travels to distant areas, it’s known as metastatic cancer. In most cases, metastatic cancer is referred to as stage IV cancer.

Cancer cells spread through a series of steps, which may include:

Invading nearby normal tissue.
Moving through the walls of nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels.
Traveling through the lymphatic system and bloodstream.
Stopping in small blood vessels in distant areas, moving through their walls into surrounding tissue.
Growing in the new tissue until a small tumor forms.
Triggering the growth of new blood vessels to supply nutrients, allowing the tumor to continue growing.

Importantly, metastatic cancer keeps the name of the primary cancer. So, if breast cancer spreads to the lung, it’s called metastatic breast cancer, not lung cancer.

Micrometastasis: The Tiny Spread of Cancer Cells

Sometimes, cancer spreads but remains so small that it can’t be seen on scans. This is called micrometastasis. While we can't always detect micrometastases on scans, blood tests may show certain proteins released by these small cancer cells, giving us clues. Treating micrometastases often involves targeting these small clusters before they grow large enough to detect, which can help prevent them from spreading further.

Hope for the Future

While metastasis can be challenging to understand, research is continually advancing. In 2016, researchers in Germany discovered how cancer cells can push through blood vessel walls by targeting a molecule called Death Receptor 6. This discovery is one step closer to understanding how cancer spreads and, ultimately, finding ways to stop it.

If you’d like to learn more, check out the TED-Ed lecture by Ivan Seah Yu Jun, where he explains how cancer spreads in a simple, visual way.

For more personalized information or to discuss concerns, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Payan at CMN Hospital. We're here to help you navigate this journey with knowledge and support.

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