A primary cancer is the original tumor that develops within the
body. Localized cancer means that the cancer is confined to the
original site. Regional spread means the cancer has either grown into
surrounding tissues or nearby lymph nodes. Metastatic cancer occurs
when cancer spreads from the original tumor to a new part of the body.
For example, breast cancer can form a new tumor in a different part of
the body such as the bones. The cancer cells in the second tumor are
the same as the cells in the primary cancer. They are breast cancer
cells–not bone cancer cells. So the second cancer is called metastatic
breast cancer or secondary tumor. The term metastatic cancer is usually
only used for cancer that has spread to distant organs or distant lymph
nodes.
As cancer cells divide, they can invade and grow directly into surrounding tissue or structures. But, they can also break off from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. All cancers have the potential to spread, and cancer can spread almost anywhere in the body. The most common sites of metastases are the bone, brain, liver, and lung.Whether metastases will develop depends on many factors such as the type of cancer, the grade of the cancer, the length of time the cancer has been present, and the location of the primary tumor. Some types of cancer tend to spread to certain parts of the body. For instance, breast cancer most often spreads to the bones, liver, lung, or brain. Colorectal cancer tends to spread to the liver. Lung cancer often spreads to the brain, bones or liver. Prostate cancer tends to spread to the bones.
Low-grade cancer cells are less aggressive and are less likely to metastasize. High-grade cancer cells are more aggressive and are more likely to metastasize. The risk of metastasis increases the longer a tumor is in the body and the ability of the cancer cells to create a blood supply in a new location because a cancerous tumor needs to set up a blood supply to grow.Each type of cancer has a particular way that it spreads. Many metastases develop in the first area of blood vessels that cancer cells come to after leaving the primary tumor. When cancer cells leave the primary tumor, the lungs are one of the first places metastatic cells can be carried to by the bloodstream. This may explain why metastases form in the lungs.
Some people may have no or few symptoms related to their metastasis. Therefore, a metastatic cancer may only be discovered during a routine examination or test. Symptoms of metastatic cancer will depend on the particular location and size of the metastasis.Regular checkups and reporting new symptoms are the best ways to detect metastatic cancer early. Diagnostic tests will be done if the signs and symptoms of metastatic cancer are present, if the result of a follow-up test is abnormal or if the doctor suspects a metastasis. The types of tests done will depend on the area of the body where doctors suspect the cancer has spread.
As cancer cells divide, they can invade and grow directly into surrounding tissue or structures. But, they can also break off from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. All cancers have the potential to spread, and cancer can spread almost anywhere in the body. The most common sites of metastases are the bone, brain, liver, and lung.Whether metastases will develop depends on many factors such as the type of cancer, the grade of the cancer, the length of time the cancer has been present, and the location of the primary tumor. Some types of cancer tend to spread to certain parts of the body. For instance, breast cancer most often spreads to the bones, liver, lung, or brain. Colorectal cancer tends to spread to the liver. Lung cancer often spreads to the brain, bones or liver. Prostate cancer tends to spread to the bones.
Low-grade cancer cells are less aggressive and are less likely to metastasize. High-grade cancer cells are more aggressive and are more likely to metastasize. The risk of metastasis increases the longer a tumor is in the body and the ability of the cancer cells to create a blood supply in a new location because a cancerous tumor needs to set up a blood supply to grow.Each type of cancer has a particular way that it spreads. Many metastases develop in the first area of blood vessels that cancer cells come to after leaving the primary tumor. When cancer cells leave the primary tumor, the lungs are one of the first places metastatic cells can be carried to by the bloodstream. This may explain why metastases form in the lungs.
Some people may have no or few symptoms related to their metastasis. Therefore, a metastatic cancer may only be discovered during a routine examination or test. Symptoms of metastatic cancer will depend on the particular location and size of the metastasis.Regular checkups and reporting new symptoms are the best ways to detect metastatic cancer early. Diagnostic tests will be done if the signs and symptoms of metastatic cancer are present, if the result of a follow-up test is abnormal or if the doctor suspects a metastasis. The types of tests done will depend on the area of the body where doctors suspect the cancer has spread.
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