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Cancer can spread to almost any part of the body, although different cancers are likely to metastasize to certain areas than others.
Cancer can spread to almost any part of the body, although different cancers are likely to metastasize to certain areas than others. The most common site of metastasis for different primary cancer is tabulated below:
Cancer Type
Main Sites of Metastasis
Bladder
Bone, liver, lung
Breast
Bone, brain, liver, lung
Colon
Liver, lung, peritoneum
Kidney
Adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, lung
Lung
Adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, another lung
Bone, brain, liver, lung, skin, muscle
Ovary
Liver, lung, peritoneum
Pancreas
Liver, lung, peritoneum
Prostate
Adrenal gland, bone, liver, lung
Rectal
Liver, lung, peritoneum
Stomach
Liver, lung, peritoneum
Thyroid
Bone, liver, lung
Uterus
Bone, liver, lung, peritoneum, vagina
What is metastatic cancer?
Cancer that spreads from a primary site to a distant part of the body is known as metastatic cancer. For many types of cancer, it is also called stage IV cancer. When seen under the microscope, metastatic cancer cells have features similar to that of the primary cancer cells and not like the cells where the metastatic cancer is spread.
What is metastasis?
The process of cancer spreading to other parts of the body is called metastasis. Metastasis causes about 90% of death in people with cancer.
Metastasis can occur in three ways:
- The cancer cells invade the tissue surrounding the primary tumor.
- Cells can travel via the bloodstream to a distant part of the body.
- Cells can travel via lymph system to adjacent or distant lymph nodes.
What are the symptoms of metastatic cancer?
Some people will have no or minimal symptoms of metastatic cancer. The symptoms depend on the location of metastasis. Tumor metastasized to brain exhibits the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Visual problems
- Speech problems
- Nausea
- Difficulty walking
- Confusion
- Personality changes
- Seizures
Symptoms of bone metastasis include:
- Fractures or breaking of bone with or without minor injury
- Severe back pain
- Leg numbness
- Difficulty with bowel or bladder control
- Pain
- Symptoms of lung metastasis include:
- Productive or nonproductive cough
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms of liver metastasis include:
- Pain
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Ascites (abdominal fluid)
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, dark urine, and light-colored stool)
Symptoms of gastrointestinal tract metastasis include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Early satiety
- Abdominal discomfort
- Weight loss
- Change in bowel habits
How is metastatic cancer treated?
Metastatic cancer is primarily treated based on the original site of cancer. For example, if a person has lung cancer and cancer spreads to the liver, it is still treated with the same drugs used for lung cancer. In terminal conditions, making a person comfortable and easing the severity of pain (palliation) may be an option.
Brain metastasis
The treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Gamma knife surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Steroids
Bone metastasis
The treatment options include:
- Drug therapy for bone metastasis that is not causing bone pain or danger of breaking
- Radiation therapy for fragile bone
Lung metastasis
The treatment options include:
- Thoracentesis (a procedure to remove the fluid to make breathing easier)
- Drug therapy
Liver metastasis
The treatment options include:
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Surgery