Summary of "How does cancer spread through the body? - Ivan Seah Yu Jun"
Cancer usually starts as a solitary tumor in a specific area of the body and can spread to nearby organs or distant places like the brain, a process known as Metastasis.
- Metastasis can occur through three common routes: transcoelomic, lymphatic, or Hematogenous spread.
- Transcoelomic spread involves malignant cells penetrating the covering surfaces of body cavities.
- Hematogenous spread occurs when cancerous cells invade blood vessels to reach distant parts of the body.
- Lymphatic spread happens when Cancer invades the lymph nodes and travels through the lymphatic system.
- Different cancers have specific sites of Metastasis, such as prostate Cancer to the bone and colon Cancer to the liver.
- Theories like the seed and soil theory and the role of vascular and lymphatic channels influence the migration pattern of malignant cells.
- Factors like Cancer cell properties and the immune system's effectiveness also play a role in Metastasis.
- Research efforts, including immunotherapy, are being developed to combat Metastasis by harnessing the immune system to destroy migrating cells.
- Understanding the exact mechanism of Metastasis is crucial for finding a cure for advanced stage cancers.
Researchers or sources featured
- Ivan Seah Yu Jun
- Stephen Paget
- James Ewing
Category
Science and Nature
