HOW DOES CANCERS SPREAD

How does cancer spread? The onset of cancer usually begins as a solitary tumor in a specific area of the body. If the tumor is not removed, cancer has the ability to spread to nearby organs as well as places far away from the origin, such as the brain. So How does cancer move to new areas and Why are some organs more likely to get infected than others. The process of cancer spread in across the body known as Metastasis. It begins when cancer cells from the initial tumor invade nearby normal tissue as the cells proliferate, they spread via one of three common routes metastasis: transcoelomic, lymphatic, hematogenous spread. In transcoelomic spread, malignant cells penetrate the covering surfaces of cavity in our body. These surfaces are known as peritoneum and serve as walls to segment the body cavity. Malignant cells in ovarian cancer, for example, spread through peritoneum which connects the ovaries to the liver, resulting in metastasis on the liver surface. Next, cancerous cells invade blood vessels when they undergo hematogenous spread. As there are blood vessels almost every where in the body, malignant cells utilize it to reach more distance parts of the body. Finally, lymphatic spread ocurs when cancer invades the lymphnodes and travels to the other parts of the body via the lymphatic system. As this system drains many parts of the body, it also provides a large network for the cancer. In addition, the lymphatic vessels empty into the blood circulation alow the malignant cells to undergo hematogenous spread. Once at a new site, the cells once again undergo proliferation and form small tumors known as Micrometastases. These small tumors then grow into fullfledged tumors and complete the metastatic process. Different cancers have been known to have specific sites of metastasis. For example, prostate cancer commonly metastasizes to the bone while colon cancer metastasizes to the liver. Very theories have been proposed to explain the migration pattern of malignant cells. Of particular interest are two conflicting theories. Stephen Paget, an English surgeon came up with the seed and soil theory of metastasis. The seed and soil theory states that cancer cells die easily in the wrong microenviroment. Hence, they only metastasize to a location with similar characteristics. However, James Ewing, the first professor of pathology of Cornell University, challenged the seed and soil theory and proposed that the site of metastasis was determined by the location of the vascular and lymphatic channels which drain the primary tumor. Patients with primary tumors that were drained by vessels leading to the lung would eventually develop lung metastasis. Today, we know that both theories contain valuable truths. Yet the full stories of the metastass is much more complicated than either of the tow proposed theories. Factors like the cancer cell’s properties and the effectiveness immune system in eliminating the cancer cells, also play a role in determining the success of metastasis. Unfortunately, many questions about metastasis remain unanswered until today. Understanding the exact the mechanism holds an important key to finding a cure for advanced stage cancers. By studing both the genetic and enviromental factors which contribute to successful matastasis, we can pinpoint way to shut down the process. The war against cancer is a constant struggle and scientists are hard at work developing new methods against metastasis. Of recent interest is immunotherapy, a modality which involves harnessing the power of the immune system to destroy the migrating cells. This can be done in different ways, such as training immune cells to recognize cancerous cells via vaccines. The growth and activity of the immune cells can also be stimulated by injecting manmade interleukins, chemicals which are usually secreted by the immune cells of the body. These two treatments are only the tip of the iceberg. With the collaborated research efforts of goverments, companies and scientists, perhaps the process of metastasis will be stoped for good.

How does cancer spread? The onset of cancer usually begins as a solitary tumor in a specific area of the body If the tumor is not removed, cancer has the ability to spread to nearby organs as well as places far away from the origin, such as the brain So How does cancer move to new areas and Why are some organs more likely to get infected than others The process of cancer spread in across the body known as Metastasis It begins when cancer cells from the initial tumor invade nearby normal tissue as the cells proliferate, they spread via one of three common routes metastasis: transcoelomic, lymphatic, hematogenous spread In transcoelomic spread, malignant cells penetrate the covering surfaces of cavity in our body These surfaces are known as peritoneum and serve as walls to segment the body cavity Malignant cells in ovarian cancer, for example, spread through peritoneum which connects the ovaries to the liver, resulting in metastasis on the liver surface Next, cancerous cells invade blood vessels when they undergo hematogenous spread As there are blood vessels almost every where in the body, malignant cells utilize it to reach more distance parts of the body Finally, lymphatic spread ocurs when cancer invades the lymphnodes and travels to the other parts of the body via the lymphatic system As this system drains many parts of the body, it also provides a large network for the cancer In addition, the lymphatic vessels empty into the blood circulation alow the malignant cells to undergo hematogenous spread Once at a new site, the cells once again undergo proliferation and form small tumors known as Micrometastases These small tumors then grow into full-fledged tumors and complete the metastatic process Different cancers have been known to have specific sites of metastasis For example, prostate cancer commonly metastasizes to the bone while colon cancer metastasizes to the liver Very theories have been proposed to explain the migration pattern of malignant cells Of particular interest are two conflicting theories Stephen Paget, an English surgeon came up with the seed and soil theory of metastasis The seed and soil theory states that cancer cells die easily in the wrong microenviroment Hence, they only metastasize to a location with similar characteristics However, James Ewing, the first professor of pathology of Cornell University, challenged the seed and soil theory and proposed that the site of metastasis was determined by the location of the vascular and lymphatic channels which drain the primary tumor Patients with primary tumors that were drained by vessels leading to the lung would eventually develop lung metastasis Today, we know that both theories contain valuable truths Yet the full stories of the metastass is much more complicated than either of the tow proposed theories Factors like the cancer cell’s properties and the effectiveness immune system in eliminating the cancer cells, also play a role in determining the success of metastasis Unfortunately, many questions about metastasis remain unanswered until today Understanding the exact the mechanism holds an important key to finding a cure for advanced stage cancers By studing both the genetic and enviromental factors which contribute to successful matastasis, we can pinpoint way to shut down the process The war against cancer is a constant struggle and scientists are hard at work developing new methods against metastasis Of recent interest is immunotherapy, a modality which involves harnessing the power of the immune system to destroy the migrating cells This can be done in different ways, such as training immune cells to recognize cancerous cells via vaccines The growth and activity of the immune cells can also be stimulated by injecting manmade interleukins, chemicals which are usually secreted by the immune cells of the body These two treatments are only the tip of the iceberg With the collaborated research efforts of goverments, companies and scientists, perhaps the process of metastasis will be stoped for good  ... the wrong microenviroment Hence, they only metastasize to a location with similar characteristics However, James Ewing, the first professor of pathology of Cornell University, challenged the seed... Understanding the exact the mechanism holds an important key to finding a cure for advanced stage cancers By studing both the genetic and enviromental factors which contribute to successful matastasis,