Do you know what is Metastasis? First, let’s understand that a tumor forms when cells grow uncontrollably or resist signals to die, creating an abnormal mass in the body. There are two types of tumors: benign, which cannot metastasize, and malignant, which can spread to other parts of the body. Secondly, read the article to learn more about how to prevent and diagnose it.
What does Metastasis mean?
Metastasis refers to the spreading of malignant tumors beyond their original site. So, the cancer spreads through several steps:
- Tumor cells invade neighboring tissues.
- Cancer cells break off and travel through blood vessels or lymphatic vessels.
- Cells navigate through the circulatory or lymphatic systems without being destroyed.
- Cells exit these systems into new organs.
- Cancerous cells rapidly reproduce in the new organ(s)
In short, this process is deemed inefficient as most metastasizing cells perish before establishing new tumors. Then, favorable conditions must align for successful tumor growth in distant organs.
What types of cancers are more likely to metastasize?
All cancer types have the potential to be metastatic, but the more common cancer types include:
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Colon cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Bone cancer
- Liver cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Stomach cancer
Diagnosis and Prevention:
To determine if a tumor has metastasized, doctors use imaging to see inside the body. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, bone scan, MRI scan, or PET scan detect metastasis. Although you cannot always prevent it, early detection allows timely intervention and improves prognosis. And, is critical for treatment planning, as metastasis often occurs in untreated cancers. So, Whole Body MRI scans play a crucial role in early cancer detection by imaging from head to below the knees in a single scan.
