Metastasis

Lymph nodes involved with melanoma can have such extensive growth of that metastasis that it grows beyond the capsule (edge) of the lymph node. This denotes an aggressive melanoma and often leads to additional treatment of that nodal basin (axilla, groin, or neck) with radiation therapy. Lymph nodes involved with melanoma can have such extensive growth of that metastasis that it grows beyond the capsule (edge) of the lymph node. This denotes an aggressive melanoma and often leads to additional treatment of that nodal basin (axilla, groin, or neck) with radiation therapy.

In general, most chemotherapy medicines can be used to treat metastatic breast cancer until side effects become a problem or the medicine stops being effective. Breast cancer that has metastasized will often require continual treatment whereas treatment in the non-metastatic setting typically has a defined number or duration of treatments. For example, in the non-metastatic setting, a usual care plan includes surgery with or without radiation therapy, and some type of systemic (drug) therapy, with the drug therapy specified as a certain number of cycles (if chemotherapy) or a certain duration of treatment (for example, tamoxifen for 5 years). In metastatic breast cancer, the goal of medicines is to destroy or damage tumor cells and to shrink tumors or keep tumors stable and in order to do that we have to keep patients on treatment most of the time. Sometimes when the cancer is stable we can provide our patients with some time off or drug holiday but most of the time we have to consider some type of systemic therapy. In general, most chemotherapy medicines can be used to treat metastatic breast cancer until side effects become a problem or the medicine stops being effective. Breast cancer that has metastasized will often require continual treatment whereas treatment in the non-metastatic setting typically has a defined number or duration of treatments. For example, in the non-metastatic setting, a usual care plan includes surgery with or without radiation therapy, and some type of systemic (drug) therapy, with the drug therapy specified as a certain number of cycles (if chemotherapy) or a certain duration of treatment (for example, tamoxifen for 5 years). In metastatic breast cancer, the goal of medicines is to destroy or damage tumor cells and to shrink tumors or keep tumors stable and in order to do that we have to keep patients on treatment most of the time. Sometimes when the cancer is stable we can provide our patients with some time off or drug holiday but most of the time we have to consider some type of systemic therapy.

Symptoms our often our main clue. We use a variety of imaging : plain xrays, bone scans, CT scans, PET scans. Which one is used is dependent on the problem that we are investigating. Tumor markers (from the blood) can be helpful in some cases. Symptoms our often our main clue. We use a variety of imaging : plain xrays, bone scans, CT scans, PET scans. Which one is used is dependent on the problem that we are investigating. Tumor markers (from the blood) can be helpful in some cases.

The tests that generally used to determine is lung cancer has travelled to other parts of the body (metastasized) is either a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis or more commonly a PET scan. A PET scan in a cancer scan of the whole body that picks up tumor growth. Generally, a PET scan is considered the standard of care for patients in the initial workup of their cancer. However, if a patient has already been diagnosed and treated, either a CT scan of chest/abdomen/pelvis or a PET scan can be used. Finally, a brain MRI is generally done as well to make sure the cancer has not moved to the brain. The tests that generally used to determine is lung cancer has travelled to other parts of the body (metastasized) is either a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis or more commonly a PET scan. A PET scan in a cancer scan of the whole body that picks up tumor growth. Generally, a PET scan is considered the standard of care for patients in the initial workup of their cancer. However, if a patient has already been diagnosed and treated, either a CT scan of chest/abdomen/pelvis or a PET scan can be used. Finally, a brain MRI is generally done as well to make sure the cancer has not moved to the brain.

The term for the movement of cancer to new locations in the body is metastasis. The new tumors that form at those locations are called metastases.

Metastasis occurs in several different ways. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body by:
1. invading a lymphatic vessel and floating to a new location.
2. invading a blood vessel and floating to a new location.
3. directly 'seeding' nearby organs via physical contact. This occurs most frequently with tumors in the abdominal and pelvic area.

To move to the new location, the cancer cells have to crawl over/past other cells and produce enzymes that act like molecular scissors to help them clear a path as they move. Metastasis is an active process. Most normal (non-blood) cells do not migrate around the body so metastasis is a feature of cancer cells.

Learn more about metastasis: http://www.cancerquest.org/metastasis-overview
Learn about formation of metastasis: http://www.cancerquest.org/formation-of-metastases
Learn about routes of metastasis: http://www.cancerquest.org/routes-of-metastasis The term for the movement of cancer to new locations in the body is metastasis. The new tumors that form at those locations are called metastases.

Metastasis occurs in several different ways. Cancer can spread to other parts of the body by:
1. invading a lymphatic vessel and floating to a new location.
2. invading a blood vessel and floating to a new location.
3. directly 'seeding' nearby organs via physical contact. This occurs most frequently with tumors in the abdominal and pelvic area.

To move to the new location, the cancer cells have to crawl over/past other cells and produce enzymes that act like molecular scissors to help them clear a path as they move. Metastasis is an active process. Most normal (non-blood) cells do not migrate around the body so metastasis is a feature of cancer cells.

Learn more about metastasis: http://www.cancerquest.org/metastasis-overview
Learn about formation of metastasis: http://www.cancerquest.org/formation-of-metastases
Learn about routes of metastasis: http://www.cancerquest.org/routes-of-metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer from the site where it originally forms. Metastasis is extremely important in cancer and is responsible for about 90% of the deaths caused by cancer. When cancer spreads to new locations, new tumors can develop. Technically, the term 'cancer' is reserved for tumors that are invasive, that is, they are able to spread to new locations. Growths that are not able to metastasize are called benign. Benign growths can still cause problems or death but they do not leave their original location.

Learn more about metastasis and watch a video of the process: http://www.cancerquest.org/metastasis-overview Metastasis is the spread of cancer from the site where it originally forms. Metastasis is extremely important in cancer and is responsible for about 90% of the deaths caused by cancer. When cancer spreads to new locations, new tumors can develop. Technically, the term 'cancer' is reserved for tumors that are invasive, that is, they are able to spread to new locations. Growths that are not able to metastasize are called benign. Benign growths can still cause problems or death but they do not leave their original location.

Learn more about metastasis and watch a video of the process: http://www.cancerquest.org/metastasis-overview

Right now I'm on Xeloda, an oral chemo pill. So far, the symptoms have been limited to hand/foot syndrome (dry, discolored skin). I've been off an on chemo since my metastasis, but I've been in good health; it has not altered my lifestyle. In fact, I think I'm healthier now than I've ever been.

Coping? I try to take things one day at a time and appreciate all the blessings in my life. Right now, I'm visualizing my future. Writing and interviewing other cancer survivors in my situation (or worse) who have beat the odds has really helped. I have hope, and to me, that's the best medicine. Right now I'm on Xeloda, an oral chemo pill. So far, the symptoms have been limited to hand/foot syndrome (dry, discolored skin). I've been off an on chemo since my metastasis, but I've been in good health; it has not altered my lifestyle. In fact, I think I'm healthier now than I've ever been.

Coping? I try to take things one day at a time and appreciate all the blessings in my life. Right now, I'm visualizing my future. Writing and interviewing other cancer survivors in my situation (or worse) who have beat the odds has really helped. I have hope, and to me, that's the best medicine.