Metastasis is a Greek word that translates to change of place in the English language. In cancer metastasis research, tumor metastasis refers to the process of movement of tumor cells from original site of the cancer to other parts within the body. This process is fairly complex and according to modern research, it is only partially understood. Research at molecular and biochemical levels has yet to come up with a complete understanding of this process.
Surgery and radiation therapy can be used to adequately treat most cancers. The two treatment choices can either be used to remove or destroy the primary tumor successfully. However, what is contributing to mortality and morbidity in most cancer patients is the spread of tumor cells to secondary locations in the body. It would be very simple for the treatment of the disease to be done if only metastasis can be stopped from happening.
Researchers usually compare tumor metastatic process to marathon. When tumors develop, they invade the solid tissues around the primary site first. Body tissues are usually complex and they contain several different cells. For instance, they contain fibroblasts, which provide solid support, immune cells, and lymphatic drainage. Fibroblasts provide a barrier, which tumor cells must go past. As an adaptation, the tumor cells develop the ability to move.
The movement of tumor cells does not happen in a strange way. The cells do not float out of a tissue. Instead, they crawl. They do this by basically reacting to factors within their environment. They extend finger-like extensions of their cell that allow them to move forward. To be able to move forward, they have to alter their ability to adhere to other cells in the body and the protein matrix.
Metastasis as indicated by research is very inefficient. Only 0.01 percent of the tumor cells that get into the blood stream finally metastasize. However, it is still impossible for researchers to establish when and if the tumor cells become metastatic. When being treated, cancer evaluation involves its ability to metastasize.
As a result, the patient gets treatment tailored to the capacity of the cancer they suffer from to become metastatic. Advanced cancers have an increased chance of getting metastatic when compared to early cancers. As such, progressive cancers are normally treated with more aggression as opposed to those in initial stages. Malignant cells normally get metastatic via two main avenues. These are lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream.
Most cancer cells usually prefer escaping through the lymphatic drainage system. That is why a doctor will usually take a biopsy of the lymphatic nodes to determine if cancerous cells have spread. From the lymphatic vessels, the cells can then enter the bloodstream. Besides entering the bloodstream from lymphatic vessels, cancerous cells can also enter the blood stream directly from blood vessels in the primary tumor.
Most tumor cells die when they enter the bloodstream as it is a very harsh environment. This is because it has immune cells and blood flows at a high speed. However, some end up in different organs where they grow into tumors.
Surgery and radiation therapy can be used to adequately treat most cancers. The two treatment choices can either be used to remove or destroy the primary tumor successfully. However, what is contributing to mortality and morbidity in most cancer patients is the spread of tumor cells to secondary locations in the body. It would be very simple for the treatment of the disease to be done if only metastasis can be stopped from happening.
Researchers usually compare tumor metastatic process to marathon. When tumors develop, they invade the solid tissues around the primary site first. Body tissues are usually complex and they contain several different cells. For instance, they contain fibroblasts, which provide solid support, immune cells, and lymphatic drainage. Fibroblasts provide a barrier, which tumor cells must go past. As an adaptation, the tumor cells develop the ability to move.
The movement of tumor cells does not happen in a strange way. The cells do not float out of a tissue. Instead, they crawl. They do this by basically reacting to factors within their environment. They extend finger-like extensions of their cell that allow them to move forward. To be able to move forward, they have to alter their ability to adhere to other cells in the body and the protein matrix.
Metastasis as indicated by research is very inefficient. Only 0.01 percent of the tumor cells that get into the blood stream finally metastasize. However, it is still impossible for researchers to establish when and if the tumor cells become metastatic. When being treated, cancer evaluation involves its ability to metastasize.
As a result, the patient gets treatment tailored to the capacity of the cancer they suffer from to become metastatic. Advanced cancers have an increased chance of getting metastatic when compared to early cancers. As such, progressive cancers are normally treated with more aggression as opposed to those in initial stages. Malignant cells normally get metastatic via two main avenues. These are lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream.
Most cancer cells usually prefer escaping through the lymphatic drainage system. That is why a doctor will usually take a biopsy of the lymphatic nodes to determine if cancerous cells have spread. From the lymphatic vessels, the cells can then enter the bloodstream. Besides entering the bloodstream from lymphatic vessels, cancerous cells can also enter the blood stream directly from blood vessels in the primary tumor.
Most tumor cells die when they enter the bloodstream as it is a very harsh environment. This is because it has immune cells and blood flows at a high speed. However, some end up in different organs where they grow into tumors.
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