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