Metastases

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Metastases

Metastases (pronounced: meh-TAS-tuh-seez, from the Greek metastasis meaning "change of place") are the spread of a disease, especially cancer, from one part of the body to another. Metastases are a significant factor in the morbidity and mortality associated with cancer.

Definition

Metastases are formed when cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system, and form a new tumor in other organs or tissues of the body. The process of cancer cells spreading is called metastasis.

Types

There are several types of metastases, named for the location where the new tumor forms. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is called lung metastasis. Other common sites of metastases include the bone, brain, liver, and lymph nodes.

Causes

The exact cause of metastases is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a complex process of genetic mutations and interactions between cancer cells and their environment. This includes the ability of cancer cells to invade nearby tissues (invasion), to move through the walls of lymph vessels or blood vessels (intravasation), and to form new tumors (colonization).

Treatment

Treatment for metastases depends on the type and stage of the original cancer, the number and location of the metastases, the patient's age and general health, and the types of treatments the patient has had in the past. Common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with metastases varies widely, depending on many factors. These include the type and stage of the original cancer, the number and location of the metastases, the patient's age and general health, and the effectiveness of treatment.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski