Types of Metastasis

Metastasis occurs when malignant tumor cells spread from one part of the body to another. Cancer cells travel from their original site through the lymphatic vessels or bloodstream, allowing movement to other areas of the body.

Three major types of metastasis are bone, liver, and lung.

Bone Metastasis

Metastasis occurring within the bone or skeleton is common among cancer patients. The most common areas of spread within the skeleton are spine, skull, upper arm, pelvis, and ribs.

Red blood cell production in bone marrow is prevalent in these areas which contain cells responsible for carrying oxygen tissues throughout the body. Some symptoms of bone metastasis in cancer patients are pain in the pelvis, extremities, spine or impending fractures due to severely weakened bones.

Liver Metastasis

Metastasis occurs in the liver as cancer tumors break away from the primary site and travel through the bloodstream. Common areas where liver cancer begins are the stomach, large intestine, pancreas, breasts, and lungs. Often times the first indication a person has cancer is the discovery of metastasis in the liver. Some symptoms of liver metastasis in cancer patients are swelling in the abdominal cavity, an enlarged and hard liver, loss of weight, poor appetite, and fever.

Lung Metastasis

The lungs are another prevalent site for metastasis to occur. Although cancer cell can travel to the lungs from anywhere within the body, the most common cancer sites are the colon, prostate, breasts, sarcoma, and bladder. Symptoms include, but are not limited to persistent coughing, weight loss, rib cage pain, shortness of breath and coughing up of blood.

Treatments for metastasis range from chemotherapy and radiation therapy to various types of surgery depending on the form of metastasis.

It is very important for a cancer patient to manage treatment of metastasis with a medical team consisting of pain management specialists, surgeons, and social workers.