Wednesday, September 6, 2017

How Does Cancer Spread Or Metastasize

How Does Cancer Spread Or Metastasize

The process of cancer spread is called metastasis.

 How Does Cancer Spread Or Metastasize - Cancer starts from abnormal cells that duplicate themselves much faster than normal cells.  These cells will form a tumor.  After the tumor reaches a large amount, this tumor can be separated from the original place and spread to nearby organs or distant organs.

  There are three types of metastasis.  Metastasis can occur through the blood vessels, through the lymphatic vessels, and through the peritoneal membranes.  Blood vessels serve as a channel to deliver nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.  Lymphatic vessels are responsible for the immune system throughout the body.  While the peritoneal membrane serves to protect the hole or gap in the body.  The two pathways are the lymphatic and blood vessels are pathways that include the flow to all parts of the body, which means the tumor can spread to any area of the body.  Successfully spread tumors will then create colonies in new organs.


  Different tumor cells are known to have a tendency to spread to certain organs.  For example, tumors that will become prostate cancer usually metastasize on the bone.  While the tumor cells that will become the forerunner of colon cancer will metastasize on the liver (liver).  The tendency to bermestastasis only in this particular place is explained by a surgeon from England using the theory of seed and soil.  Like seeds planted in the wrong soil, tumor cells that are in the wrong neighborhood will be easier to die.  Thus, tumor cells only metastasize to a place that has similarities.  Another theory that challenges the theory of seed and soil is that metastasis depends on the location of lymphatic vessels and blood vessels that serve as 'toll roads' for tumor cells.  

Both theories have the truth, but research to better understand the mechanisms continues.  If the mechanism of metastasis can be well understood, then the spread of tumor or cancer cells will be inhibited.  In addition, a cure for cancer can be found. 

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How Does Cancer Spread Or Metastasize
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