Understanding of Metastasis or Advanced Cancer

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Metastasis or advanced cancer
Metastasis or advanced cancer
Metastasis or advanced cancer aka Stage 4 cancer

Stage 4 Cancer:
Also called as “Advanced Cancer “ or “Metastasis” is when cancer spreads to the different parts of the body. Metastasis develops when to cancer cells break away from the main tumor and enter the blood stream or lymphatic system. These systems carry fluids around the body. This is why cancer cells can then travel far from the original site of the tumor and form new tumors where they settle and grow in a different part of the body. this progression is also known as metastasis and unless a metastasis is singular—meaning that it has only spread in to one specific location—and it’s still accessible, it usually means that the cancer will no longer be curable with localized therapies such as surgery or radiotherapy.

“Metastasis depends on several factors, which include the type of cancer and its aggressiveness. And how long you had it before treatment”
Metastasis to the bones, brain, liver, lymph nodes, and lungs is common. Cancer cells can also metastasize to the linings around the lungs or the abdominal cavity. This may cause excess fluid buildup in these areas. Cancer can also spread to the skin, muscle, or other organs throughout the body. Doctors give a metastasis the same name as the original cancer.

So a breast cancer that spreads to the liver is referred to as “metastatic breast cancer” not liver cancer. Some cancers tend to spread to certain parts of the body. Here are some examples;

• Breast cancer spreads to the liver, bones, lungs, chest wall and brain.
Lung cancer spreads to the brain, bones, liver and adrenal glands.
Prostate cancer spread to the bones.

Treatment:
Treatment against cancer depends on several factors as well. The original cancer and where it started, how much the cancer has spread and where it is located. Most commonly doctor might try one type of chemotherapy and then switch to another when the first treatment no longer works. Or you might have a combination of treatments to remove the metastases. Such as chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.
There are two main strategies when it comes to treatment|:

Systematic Therapy: Treating the entire body using chemotherapy and medication.

Local Therapy: Treating the area with cancer using surgery and radiation therapy.
In some cases, metastasis can be cured. But doctors use to slow its growth and reduce the symptoms. It is possible to live many months or even years with certain types of cancer even after the development of metastatic disease. It is important to ask your doctor about the goals of treatment. These goals may change during your care depending on whether the cancer responds to the treatment. It is also important to know that pain, nausea and other side effects can be managed with the help of your doctor.

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