When humanity has already defeated many diseases that were considered dangerous and deadly, found methods to fight infections, so time throws up more and more new tests for the human body.
Endurance and tolerance tests. Metastases and cancer, collectively, the disease is called metastasis cancer, metastatic cancer, and so on.
In this article, we tried to collect all the necessary and useful information about what metastases are in cancer, consider the symptoms of metastases, how it is cancer with metastases, how to treat and whether metastases can be cured, and also consider the treatment of metastases in modern medical practice, taking into account the achievements of science.
How does the disease develop?
The likelihood of risks of becoming infected, hurt, injured, catching a cold, and other unpredictable factors haunt a person every day. No one is immune from sudden or gradual failures important systems human body: respiratory, digestive, circulatory, immune systems. All of the above daily risk factors are dangerous to health, and sometimes even to human life. To swear in our life, it is impossible from anything.
The disease spares neither children nor adults, but, judging by the statistics, people over fifty are at greater risk. But, sometimes very small crumbs are already ill with a merciless diagnosis.
The danger of the disease lies also in the speed of its development. There is something similar to the capture of the body by the disease and its gradual destruction.
The human body is an amazing creation, it is a single and unique system that consists of subsystems, each of which performs certain functions for normal functioning organism as a whole. Everything in the body is closely interconnected.
All systems of the human body (as well as any other organism) are closely interconnected when one of the body systems begins to malfunction or deviate. A person feels that this affects the functioning of the body as a whole, failures of one system provoke the malfunctioning of other systems. This is accompanied by discomfort, stress and pain.
Varieties of tumor growth
Happy is the person who has not even heard of such a disease, and such words as: “metastases”, “cancer metastases”, “cancer metastases” do not tell him anything. So, metastases, what is it?
Metastases are secondary foci of malignant tumors. This disease tends to affect the vital organs of the human body.
A tumor is a neoplasm of pathologies in tissues with a change in the genetic apparatus of cells, with violations of their growth, regulation and differentiation. Types of tumors: benign and malignant.
Metastases can occur in the internal organs (liver, lungs, spine, mammary gland, and can also affect the brain).
Cancer (carcinoma, from the Greek - a tumor in the form of a crab) - type malignant tumor developing in tissue cells. Cancer can affect any organ: lungs, stomach, larynx, esophagus, rectum, lips, vagina, oropharynx, uterus, skin, bladder, thyroid gland, tongue, prostate, kidneys, liver, and others.
This disease crab digs into the affected area, and kills life both in the affected area and around it, spreading and infecting other areas, other organs.
In case of cancer of the organs of the body, after affecting the brain, the above structures are transferred by the blood system or the flow of lymph fluids. They can stop in any place, then leave the vessel area and begin to increase (develop, grow) - metastases form, in unpredictable quantities.
V initial stage- the dangerous process happens slowly and imperceptibly. Malignant cells exacerbate the activity of foci with a non-primary character, relapsing in the human body.
Medical statistics gives us data that makes it known that - about thirty thousand abnormal cells appear in the human body every day, all of them potentially (it's like in probability theory - an event can happen, or it can not happen, this is life) can become cancerous. Thanks to the immune system, which finds and destroys them, the likelihood is minimized.
If, the immune system somehow missed cancer cells, and could not protect us, suddenly, then - cancer cells begin uncontrolled development, reproduction, the body begins to be in serious danger.
How does cancer happen? This good and kind cell of the body suddenly became bad and evil, under the influence of bad and evil factors. She began to produce cells similar to herself, and normal cells that are nearby stop dividing (this is called contact inhibition).
Let's look at the symptoms of metastases (signs of metastases) and then consider the treatment of metastases, answer the question - are they treated, and how to treat them, and how they are treated in everyday medical practice.
Symptoms of metastases in the body
The symptomatology of metastasis depends on the location of the lesion in the body, as well as on the type of primary tumor, and is determined by these factors.
- Liver metastasis - with this metastasis, itching of the skin, jaundice, liver failure are possible. That provides not only discomfort, but also stress and even pain to a sick person.
- The brain is affected - rapid encephalopathy (brain disease, non-inflammatory process). It is one of the most terrible lesions of the body.
- Lung damage - bronchopulmonary inflammation, impaired functioning of the respiratory system.
- Bone metastases - severe pain throughout the body.
- Aggravation of pain. medical practice came up with methods to alleviate symptoms, so that the tolerance of the disease was easier for the sick person.
- Violent muscle spasms.
This disease is accompanied by severe dysfunctions in the structures of the human body.
The most dangerous thing is that a tumor with metastasis creates its own "organism", with its own "immunity", and lives at the expense of the human body, undermining health, taking away all vitality, and often in the 21st century, life itself.
Science does not stand still, once they found cures for deadly diseases, we will believe that soon the word "cancer" will not sound terrible, reminding us of the dangers.
Possible ways of development
- Lymphogenous (through the lymphatic vessels).
- Hematogenous (through the blood vessels).
- Implantation (in the process of germination of the affected organ by tumors).
Diagnosis of the disease
The insidiousness of cancer is that in the early stages of development it is difficult to determine its symptoms and establish that these are symptoms of cancer. At the beginning of the damage to the body, cancer does not manifest itself, looks closely and settles down. This applies to tumors, except for cancer and some other organs where the tumor is noticeable.
Diagnostics this disease very important and extremely, urgently needed. For any illness, you should always go to the hospital, the doctors themselves will find out what is wrong with your body. If necessary, they will be referred to oncologists and diagnosticians.
Diagnosis usually takes place as planned, with medical examination.
- Plain radiography.
- The study of sound waves.
- CT and MRI.
- Positron emission tomography.
The method of computed tomography (CT) is a radiation diagnosis that provides information about the state of the organ under study, and also determines the location and degree of development of the pathology on this organ.
Magnetic resonance method (MRI) - this tomographic type of diagnosis internal organs and tissues, under the action of nuclear magnetic resonance.
With lesions of the lungs, mammary gland, oncological processes of the brain, and in such cases, by diagnostics, suppuration and germination in the tissue structures of organs located next to the affected are determined.
Rediagnosis controls the degree of effectiveness of therapy in accordance with the degree of metastases, regardless of the number of the latter.
For any warning signs, you should contact a diagnostician or an oncologist, it is better to identify cancer in the early stages in order to leave more chances of curing the disease.
Treatment of metastases
Treatment of metastases is a problematic and complex task.
Principles of fighting tumors:
- Chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Fight with systemic methods.
- local therapy.
- Radiosurgery.
- Immunotherapy.
This disease is dangerous at any stage of development, and indicates the forced development of the underlying disease, which is accompanied by pain.
Cancer is one of the most painful diseases, and creates a lot of pain for the patient, testing endurance and ability to endure.
Can the disease be cured? Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are carried out in order to prevent the occurrence of new foci of the disease.
Chemotherapy is the treatment with poisons and toxins that kill the pathogen. Treatment is traditionally aimed at relieving symptoms and prolonging the life of the patient as much as possible.
conclusions
It so happens that not always, or rather not in all cases, immunity is able to protect us from all the risks that we deal with on a daily basis. The first thing to say is that you can’t fold your hands and stop fighting the disease.
A sick person needs very powerful moral support, because by self-adjustment you can both aggravate the situation and help yourself overcome what you can overcome.
Do not delay with treatment, seek help from doctors, the sooner you turn, the more chances to defeat the disease and faster and more efficiently.
Unfortunately, just as there are many who want to help, there are just as many who want to make money on someone else's grief. One thing is true - believe the traditional, maybe somewhere traditional medicine, do not look for something that science has not yet invented, everything that science has invented will be offered to you in clinics and hospitals, by the doctors themselves.
It is terrible to watch those who are looking for clients directly on the forums, easily leaving contact (temporary) data (phone, email), but people can believe and peck at the hook of scammers. Be vigilant and careful.
Everything you need for treatment, your doctor will tell you about it, follow his instructions and recommendations, and you will defeat the disease, science has proven that there are always chances to win, do not back down.
In the treatment of malignant tumors, one must always remember that there is always, absolutely always, a chance for recovery.
Some people not only support other people, brothers in trouble, they also find methods of struggle and heal, even if folk remedies, the wisdom of the people - a storehouse of medical science, and its beginning.
Strengthen your immunity, monitor diseases of organs, treat diseases in time and urgently.
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13.01.2013
Metastases- These are secondary foci of growth of almost any malignant tumor. Most cancers lead to the appearance of secondary foci in local and regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and spine.
Modern concepts of the development of metastases are based on the fact that metastases develop almost immediately, as soon as the malignant tumor itself appears. Separate cells detached from it first penetrate into the lumen of the blood (hematogenous pathway of dissemination) or lymphatic vessel(lymphogenic pathway of dissemination). Then they are transferred with the blood or lymph flow, stop in a new place, after which they leave the vessel and grow, forming metastases. At first, this process is slow and imperceptible, since cancer cells from the parent focus suppress the activity of secondary foci.
What causes metastases
Will individual cells break away from the maternal tumor and form metastases? Tumor cells break off and will always come off. Local factors the body's immune system is very for a long time protect the body from rapid growth tumor cells.
Tumor cells, having spread, can remain inactive for a very long time (or grow very slowly) for a number of years. The exact mechanisms for triggering a rapid number of metastases in the body have not been studied.
Another fact is important: as the number of cells in a metastasis increases, they begin to secrete growth factors that stimulate the formation of vascular and capillary network around the tumor cells, which provides the cells cancerous tumor everyone nutrients to the detriment of other body tissues.
What determines the rate of spread of metastases throughout the body
The time required for clinical manifestation the first metastases, is largely determined by the type of tumor and the degree of differentiation of its tissues. Highly differentiated tumors tend to metastasize much less frequently and later than poorly differentiated tumors. Sometimes metastases appear very quickly, following the appearance of the primary tumor node. In many patients, metastases are detected after 1-2 years. Sometimes latent or "dormant metastases" are found many years after the operation to remove the tumor. Various types of treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, arterial embolization, including chemoembolization) reduce the incidence of metastasis or delay the appearance of metastases.
There is a misconception that metastases occur due to the procedures performed. However, removal of part of the tumor or its biopsy (taking tumor tissue for examination) does not increase the incidence of metastases.
How different types of cancer metastasize
Most often, metastases are found in the lymph nodes, metastases in the liver, lungs, much less often - in the heart muscle, skeletal muscles, skin, spleen, pancreas. An intermediate place in the frequency of detection of metastases in various types cancer occupy the central nervous system, skeletal system, kidneys, adrenal glands.
The most common types of cancer and the most common sites for finding metastases
A certain pattern of cancer metastasis, for example, stomach cancer in certain The lymph nodes led to the emergence of special terms. So, metastasis to the ovaries is called "Krukenberg", metastasis to the Douglas space - "Schnitzler", metastases to the lymph nodes of the left supraclavicular region - "Virchow".
Why are metastases dangerous?
Metastasis of most tumors occurs when the body's reserves in the fight against the tumor are exhausted. Metastases significantly disrupt the functioning of all vital organs and systems. In the vast majority of cases, the death of cancer patients is due to metastases of the underlying cancer.
In addition, metastases significantly worsen general state, often accompanied by unbearable pain, requiring constant anesthesia.
How do metastases appear?
The clinical picture of metastatic cancer is determined by the location of the metastases.
So, peritoneal lesion
(peritoneal carcinomatosis) leads to ascites, which requires laparocentesis.
Pleura lesion
(pleural carcinomatosis) causes the development exudative pleurisy which requires thoracocentesis.
Metastases in tubular bones skeleton and spine may cause severe pain in the body, lead to easy education fractures. The appointment of bisphosphonates in addition to the main treatment significantly improves the condition of patients.
Basic symptoms of brain metastases - a change in character, severe headaches, convulsions, a change in the level of consciousness, and so on. In addition, toxins released during the constant death of tumor cells cause cancerous intoxication of the body.
Due to the rejuvenation of cancer, a number of patients are diagnosed oncological disease is established only when he has symptoms caused by metastases.
How are metastases diagnosed?
survey radiography, ultrasonography, radioisotope research, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography - all these techniques are essential in the recognition of metastases. These techniques make it possible to clarify the size, prevalence and nature of the growth of metastases, their decay, suppuration, germination in neighboring organs and fabrics. In addition, the same diagnostic methods allow monitoring the effectiveness of treatment by the degree of regression of metastases.
Is it possible to cure metastases and what does it give
The main goal of active chemotherapy and radiation therapy is to prevent the occurrence of cancer metastases to the maximum extent possible. early stage.
Treatment is based on the general principles of tumor treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical treatment(with single metastases).
Treatment of cancer metastases has certain difficulties, since most metastases, unlike the cells of the maternal tumor, are not very sensitive to chemotherapy. Therefore, in some cases, the treatment of metastases is carried out with the aim of relieving symptoms and, in some cases, prolonging life. For this purpose, it is used systemic therapy(chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy), local therapy (surgery, radiotherapy).
Abroad, such methods as percutaneous transhepatic radiofrequency ablation of metastatic foci in the liver are most often used. This technique has become available in Russia.
As mentioned above, treatment in such cases is a means of alleviating the patient's condition. The chance of achieving remission is very low.
The European clinic also uses such a technique as embolization of arteries that feed large metastases in various organs in order to reduce the negative impact of cancer metastases on the patient's body.
Additionally, patients of the clinic are treated in other medical institutions in Russia and abroad, including proton beam therapy, cyberknife and a number of others in Israel, Germany, Austria, Russia.
continuing the topic of the article:
thematic tags: cancer, cancer treatment, metastases
Everyone has heard about this disease and that it is fatal, but not everyone understands exactly how cancer kills and what it is. The body is constantly producing new cells to replace old ones or to grow something new in the body, such as a fetus during pregnancy. Unfortunately, it happens that this process fails. But the nature of failures is different, neoplasms in the body are not always cancer.
What is oncology
Cancer is a malignant type of tumor. Unlike benign, malignant cells grow uncontrollably, and even if the tumor is cut out, they will highly likely start growing again. It is connected with gene mutation healthy cells. According to one theory, malignant cells are constantly born in the human body, but normally they are killed by the human immune system.
The term for the disease was given by the father of medicine Hippocrates, the tumor seemed to him similar to this amphibious animal. One of the most dangerous species cancer - carcinoma, and is translated from Greek - crab, cancer.
Malignant tumors grow much faster than benign ones. But the worst thing about them is that they metastasize to the lymph nodes, bones and other organs, starting from neighboring ones and ending with the most distant ones.
Causes of Cancer
The exact causes of the appearance of this disease have not been identified so far, but the risk factors are quite accurately identified. It is conditionally possible to determine two natures of the occurrence of tumors: hormonal and physiological. Physiological provocateurs of cancer cell growth are as follows:
- long non-healing wounds and inflammations, ulcers;
- birthmark trauma;
- prolonged exposure to the sun without protection;
- exposure to radiation;
- eating carcinogenic foods;
- smoking.
Hormonal provocateurs of malignant tumors include the following factors:
- abortion;
- late pregnancy;
- disruption of any of the glands;
- menopause;
- no childbirth and breastfeeding at fertile age;
- elderly age.
These processes are united by the fact that they are all associated with a sharp or increased release of hormones, which can provoke failures in the growth of normal cells.
Scientists have found a gene that is responsible for the growth of malignant tumors, and therefore we can safely say that cancer is a hereditary disease.
Stages of cancer
The sooner the disease is detected and treated, the greater the chance of recovery. To know what metastases are in cancer, one must have an idea of the gradation of the stages of oncology. They are determined based on the size of the tumor, as well as the absence or presence of metastases and their degree of spread.
These indicators are measured according to the international TNM classification. According to it, the size is measured in the tumor and has 4 degrees, the presence or absence of metastases themselves in metastasis. There are three degrees of germination, and they are measured in node. They are abbreviated by the first letter of the name. In fact, the degree of germination is the degree of cancer. That is, the code T2, M1, 3N, according to this classification, will mean that the tumor has reached size 2, there are metastases, the degree of cancer is 3.
Based on the foregoing, there are 4 stages of cancer:
- The tumor is not more than 2 cm, is not detected on palpation, the lymph nodes and neighboring organs are not affected. Pain and discomfort are absent.
- The tumor is 2 to 5 cm, the lymph nodes may already be affected, depending on the location, the tumor may already be palpable. There may be mild discomfort and symptoms.
- Cancer cells take over space: nearby lymph nodes and organs are affected.
- Metastases are possible in any organ, the size of the tumor can be any, the patient experiences severe pain, and can die at any moment.
How quickly one stage will flow into another, individually, this can happen both in a few months and in a few years.
Metastases
What is metastasis in cancer, a question that interests those who have been given this terrible diagnosis. Metastases are secondary foci that occur at stage 2 in neighboring organs and nearby lymph nodes. At stages 3 and 4, they can spread to any organ and lymph node. The spread occurs as follows: cells break off from a cancerous tumor and begin to migrate through the bloodstream through the body through the arteries and veins along with the blood and through the lymph nodes with the help of lymph. So there are two migration routes: lymphatic and hematogenous.
There is a third way - this is invasive growth into neighboring organs, it is called implantation. The probability of attachment of migrating cancer cells depends on the state of human immunity. At an early stage of cancer, metastases occur more often only in neighboring organs, since the body is not yet exhausted by the struggle and is able to stop development. But over time, he succeeds worse and worse, cancer comes into its own. And on final stages When the body is exhausted from the fight against the disease and its resistance is almost at zero, cancer cells easily take root at any distance from the primary focus.
To combat metastases, first of all, it is necessary to remove the maternal tumor and all metastasizing ones, and then proceed to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It is not possible to remove all metastases. And the degree of cancer is a decisive factor in deciding on the appropriateness of the operation.
Diagnosis of metastases
There are symptoms that can suggest the presence of metastases in a particular organ. They are different for each location. If specific symptoms detected or there is a suspicion, then additional studies are assigned, the purpose of which is the detection of metastases.
The presence of metastases is diagnosed most often with the help of ultrasound and x-rays. But in some cases, if healthy organ covers the tumor, detection is difficult. For example, it is difficult to detect a tumor in the milk ducts.
Blood and lymph tests are no longer indicative, because a person already has cancer and, of course, tumor markers will be detected, and the level of eosinophils and leukocytes will be increased. But a urinalysis can reveal the localization of the tumor. When squeezed by tumors in neighboring organs or metastases to the liver, the level of bilirubin rises, which is noticeable outwardly by yellowing of the proteins of the eyes and skin, as well as by urinalysis. Or hypercalcemia with lung metastases.
Visual detection of tumors is possible using the following studies:
- X-ray (irrigoscopy, relaxation duodenography, angiography);
- ultrasonic;
- positron emission tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- radionuclide methods, such as radioisotope scanning;
- computed tomography and others.
Visually, you can see both the tumor itself and the consequences caused by it: squeezing, deformation, violation of the integrity of organs.
There are also methods for studying organs, tumors and tissues at the contact level. The following research methods are considered:
- oral pancreatocholangioscopy (insertion of a probe into the duodenum);
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy (insertion of a probe into the stomach);
- bronchoscopy;
- cytological examination of secretions;
- biopsy using laparoscopy (extraction of a fragment of the tumor for research);
- percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (liver puncture).
With the help of such studies, it is possible to determine the nature of the tissues and identify a tumor that is not detected during visual diagnostics.
Metastases in stomach cancer
Tumor growth occurs on the mucous membrane of the walls of the stomach. Once upon a time, stomach cancer was ahead of even lung cancer in frequency. The reason for the high mortality rate from this species is its late diagnosis. Quite often the tumor is found out when metastasises have already begun. With stomach cancer, their probability is very high and averages about 85%. This is due to the fact that the walls of the stomach are quite thin, and there are many organs next to it. The most commonly affected organs by invasive way are the following:
- liver;
- esophagus;
- pancreas;
- gallbladder;
- spleen;
- liver;
- intestines.
Approximately 50% of patients also have liver cancer with metastases. The prognosis for recovery from it is rather disappointing. Actively growing, cancer cells pinch the liver tissue, which causes its inflammation - as a result, necrosis and rupture, followed by bleeding into the liver. abdominal cavity. Symptoms that metastases in stomach cancer in the liver are as follows:
- sudden weight loss, while the stomach, on the contrary, may increase;
- nausea and vomiting;
- peeling, itching on the skin;
- icteric shade skin and mucous membranes.
Metastases in lung cancer
The most common site of cancer is the lungs. About 70% of all cases of malignant tumors are located there. Elderly people are at risk, especially those who smoked or worked in hazardous industries where they inhaled harmful fumes.
What are lung cancer metastases and how do they manifest themselves? Metastases in lung cancer occur very quickly, the pathways of spread are hematogenous and lymphatic. By implantation, tumors penetrate primarily into the following locations:
- second lung;
- spine, often lumbar;
- liver;
- brain;
- other bones;
- spinal cord.
Lung cancer with metastases can be treated only in the first two stages. But many discover it already at stage 3. The reasons lie in the lack timely diagnosis and attributing symptoms to a cold or a smoker's cough, despite the fact that diagnosing metastases to neighboring locations is quite simple using x-rays.
The worst thing is that some do not quit smoking, even if they have stage 4 lung cancer with metastases. How many live with such a diagnosis? Usually no more than a year, but there are lucky ones who have lived for 5 years, which is rather an exception. But if you continue to smoke, you should not hope for it.
Metastases in thyroid cancer
Increasingly, thyroid cancer has begun to occur in people of all ages. Metastases with it are most often localized in the following organs:
- bones;
- brain;
- lungs;
- adrenal glands;
- liver.
Cancer cells move in this form mainly by the lymphatic route, along the peritracheal and prelaryngeal lymph nodes.
To combat thyroid metastases, the following methods are used:
- removal of the thyroid gland completely;
- removal of metastases.
Life without a thyroid gland comes with some challenges:
- lifelong hormone therapy (L-thyroxine);
- weight gain that is difficult to control;
- loss of strength, apathy;
- drop in visual acuity;
- sleep problems;
- difficulties with conception;
- decreased attention and concentration.
But despite this, it is possible to live without it, and if it helps to save or prolong life, then the organ is removed fragmentarily and even completely.
Metastases in pancreatic cancer
A rather rare type of oncology, in only 4 cases out of 100 the tumor is localized in the pancreas, but this number is growing inexorably. This type of cancer affects people with poor dietary habits and unhealthy lifestyles. Older men are at risk, women suffer from this disease a little less often.
Tumors in this location do not manifest themselves for a very long time, and often the diagnosis is made already by squeezing neighboring organs and the presence of metastases in them. And this happens at a rather small size relative to other locations, a tumor of 2 cm can already cause serious harm.
This type of cancer is seen in fairly early metastasis, they are detected in more than 60% of cases. Pancreatic cancer with metastases to the liver or pancreatoduodenal lymph nodes is a fairly common outcome. In addition to these organs, by implantation, metastases penetrate into the following organs:
- stomach;
- abdominal cavity (cancerous ascites, peritoneal carcinomatosis);
- duodenum.
But since the pancreas has an excellent blood supply and is adjacent to the parapancreatic lymphatic system, metastases in this type of cancer can reach anywhere in the lymphogenous and hematogenous pathways.
The hematogenous way affects the kidneys, lungs, bone marrow.
Lymphogenically, cancer cells spread in 4 stages:
- Pancreatoduodenal nodes.
- Retropyloric, hepatoduodenal nodes.
- Superior mesenteric and celiac nodes.
- paraaortic nodes.
This type of cancer is quite aggressive in terms of metastases, they spread through interstitial or interstitial crevices.
Symptoms that the tumor is in the pancreas itself are as follows:
- discoloration of stools;
- yellow tint of the skin and whites of the eyes;
- bloating of the abdominal cavity;
- lack of appetite and nausea;
- an increase in the gallbladder, palpable.
Metastases in liver cancer
Most often, cancer in the liver is metastatic, that is, the tumor itself is a metastasis. If liver cancer with metastases is diagnosed, it is difficult to give a prognosis for the development of the disease. This is due to the peculiarity of the blood supply. The liver is enriched with blood through the portal vein system, which before that passes through all the organs of the peritoneum. Accordingly, cancer cells can come from any of them by the hematogenous route and settle in the liver. That is why portal vein embolization is one of the methods for preventing liver metastasis. The nodular form of tumors prevails.
The primary focus of occurrence in the liver is extremely rarely localized in this organ. This is a very small percentage of all cases of morbidity. This is mainly a consequence of the destruction of the liver by alcohol or hepatitis.
Metastasis occurs in 3 stages:
- A single focus, no more than a quarter of the total volume of the liver is affected.
- A little more than a quarter of the volume is affected, there may be more than one foci.
- More than half of the liver is affected, multiple foci.
If liver cancer with metastases is diagnosed, then the prognosis is rather disappointing, since the disease has been asymptomatic for quite a long time. By the time symptoms appear, the stage is often already incurable, or they are not associated with liver disease. The symptoms are as follows:
- peeling, dry skin;
- nosebleeds;
- fever;
- pain in the right side;
- yellowness of the mucous membranes and skin, from mild to severe.
The frequency of death is also due to the methods of treatment of oncological diseases. In this type of cancer, they can cause liver failure, which will lead to instant lethal outcome. No more than 10% of patients diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer will live at least 5 years.
What are prostate cancer metastases
The prostate gland has a second name - the prostate. This is an organ that only men have and is responsible for sexual function, namely for the protection and nutrition of spermatozoa. But violations in its work will affect the health in general, as well as the psycho-emotional state of a person. Men over 50 are at risk. The main symptoms of prostate cancer are pain when urinating and blood in the urine. One of the legs also becomes numb, depending on the area of the gland affected by the tumor.
In prostate cancer, metastases usually occur no earlier than stage 3. On the 1st and 2nd, the forecasts for recovery are quite optimistic.
Cancer cells from the prostate migrate hematogenously. And the target of metastases in prostate cancer is often bone tissue. They are mainly localized in the following groups of bones:
- spine;
If this type of cancer already has metastases, then the prognosis for recovery is no more than 10%. But treatment is taken in any cases, at least to prolong life and alleviate suffering.
Bone metastases
Bones are often attacked by metastases along the hematogenous pathway, as many vessels and capillaries pass through them. Most often these are the following groups of bones and their joints:
- hip joint;
- spine;
- shoulder;
- ribs;
- scull.
Bone metastases in cancer often go unnoticed for a long time due to the lack of pain. The bones can whine a little, and few people pay attention to this, attributing it to fatigue and an uncomfortable posture.
Metastases in the bones occur in the last stages, rarely occurring in initial stage. And most often found in prostate and breast cancer. They are divided into osteolytic, which leach minerals from the bones, and osteoblastic, which cause the accumulation of minerals.
In the first case, vitamin D is prescribed, and in the second it is contraindicated.
The presence of a neoplasm is manifested by pain, which is caused by compression of the nerve endings and the inflammatory process. Bones affected by cancer become brittle, and the risk of fractures is much higher. Removing neoplasms from bones, especially from the spine, is not an easy task, it is far from always possible, and an extra-class surgeon is needed for such an operation. The following methods are used for treatment:
- chemotherapy;
- radiation therapy;
- radioisotope treatment;
- embolization of spinal arteries;
- radiofrequency ablation;
- epidural injections;
- removal of tumors surgically at least partially, if it will lessen the suffering of the patient.
Most best clinics specializing in the treatment of such diseases are located in Israel. They even take on the treatment of stage 4 cancer with metastases. After all, this will prolong the life of the patient at least for a while. What is cancer metastasis? This is the main cause of death from the disease. After all, the tumor itself could be cut out and lived on, but it is impossible to permanently remove metastases and not everything can be cut out.
Treatment of metastases in the lungs is carried out after an accurate diagnosis is made, which allows determining their location. If metastases are found in the lungs, treatment must begin immediately, since any delay can cost the patient his life.
When to get tested
After a person has symptoms of lung metastases, such as a cough that does not go away, they are referred for examination. Most often, the penetration of tumor cells into the lung comes from other organs. Therefore, in most cases, there are no symptoms of damage, and metastatic cancer is detected by fluorography. But if a malignant neoplasm arose in the respiratory organs, and then began to metastasize, then the primary one can be detected by such signs as:
- the patient has severe shortness of breath;
- a person's complaints of chest pain;
- the presence of bloody spots in the sputum when coughing;
- loss of appetite and general weakness.
In many cases, doctors find metastases in the lung sacs before they find the underlying tumor. This is because in most patients the disease goes unnoticed.
If a person has a cough that does not go away for several months, a slightly elevated body temperature, there is apathy, then you should immediately consult a doctor.
Diagnosis of the disease by different methods
Before treating the disease, it is necessary to find out the location of the main tumor and the processes extending from it. For this, tools such as x-rays, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used.
Metastases in the lung can appear in the presence of a cancerous tumor in other organs, for example, in the breast, bladder, kidneys. Often there is a penetration of tumor cells into the lung from the esophagus, gastric tract. The appearance of tumor cells in the lung can provoke melanoma of the skin. This is due to the large volume occupied by the respiratory organs, and the presence of a constant circulation of blood through the lung sacs.
X-ray helps to accurately locate the location of the main focus of a malignant tumor and identify the location of metastases. To more accurately determine the size and location of malignant emissions in the lung, computed or magnetic tomography is used. It is carried out with a special dye that helps to identify all the affected cells, including metastases.
Treatment methods for the disease
Many patients, having learned about the diagnosis, ask doctors whether such lesions are treated or not. It all depends on the stage of cancer and the degree of spread of metastases. To eliminate the disease, there are various methods:
- Removal of the tumor by surgery.
- Radiation therapy.
- Treatment with hormonal drugs.
In each case, the need to use one or another method of dealing with the disease is determined by doctors on the basis of examination data.
If it was possible to fix the disease at an early stage, then metastases, with their relatively small number, can be removed by surgical intervention. To do this, the tumor must be well localized, and the formations themselves must have small size. The operation is usually performed if one organ is affected by the tumor, and others are not affected.
To soften the position of the patient, doctors use radiation therapy. In some cases, when using this method of treatment, it is possible to save the patient from the spread of metastases, as well as to drastically slow down the growth of the tumor.
Chemotherapy is used to combat the spread of metastases and to limit their growth in the patient's body. Usually it is carried out with the help of special preparations. If such an event has already been used to treat a patient with a primary malignant tumor, then the person should inform the doctor about this.
Radiation and chemotherapy have many contraindications and side effects, for example, a person's hair falls out, he is constantly nauseous. But to eliminate the growth of the tumor, these methods are considered the main ones.
If tumor cells have penetrated into the lung sac from the breast or prostate, then in some cases it is possible to use hormonal drugs. This is done when the underlying tumor is sensitive to such drugs.
V difficult cases perhaps the combined use of all of the above methods of combating metastases.
Other treatments
The development of medicine has led to the emergence of other methods for ridding patients of metastases in the lung sacs:
- resection with a laser;
- the use of radioisotopes;
- radio surgical method elimination of metastases;
- the use of neutron or gamma beams.
If metastases have penetrated the lungs, blocked the main bronchial structures, blocked the windpipe, then surgeons use the laser resection technique to deal with overgrown tumor cells.
In many cases, with the blockade of metastases of the main bronchial structures, a method is used that is called "endobronchial brachytherapy". Its essence lies in the fact that through special device- a bronchoscope delivers special microscopic ampoules containing a radioactive isotope to the tumor area and metastases. Radiation destroys cancer cells.
Many clinics use a system called CyberKnife to eliminate metastases. This method of radiosurgery does not cause bleeding, the risk of infection after surgery is very small. This method has proven itself in the treatment of patients with large quantity metastasis. After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital for several days, and recovery period takes 1-2 months.
To destroy metastases in Lately doctors began to use precisely focused beams of directed neutron radiation. Gamma particles can also be used instead of neutrons. This technique allows you to hit tumor cells. This does not affect healthy tissue.
All the methods of fighting cancer described above are not effective at stage 4 of the disease. Most patients see doctors in the last stages of the disease. Very rarely it is possible to detect a tumor at an early stage of development, when its size is relatively small, and it has 1 or 2 metastases. Therefore, it is important early diagnosis illness. According to statistics, the life expectancy of a person after surgery to eliminate lung metastases is from 4 to 6 years. It all depends on the number of tumor cells that have penetrated the lung sac, the age of the patient, and the ability of his body to resist the disease.
People call oncology the queen of diseases. Every year it claims the lives of millions of still able-bodied citizens, and is one of the three world "leaders" in terms of the number of deaths of the planet's population.
This is what can explain the pathological fear of a person before the diagnosis of "cancer" and the term - metastases.
Metastases are secondary foci that are malignant in nature and are considered the most severe manifestation of cancer recurrence. They can spread throughout the patient's body from the site of tumor localization through the bloodstream, lymphatic system, as well as increasing in size, grow into neighboring organs and functioning systems.
How metastasis occurs, you can learn from this video:
Kinds
The process is characterized by a multiplicity of options that are fundamentally different from each other, the nature of origin and the method of distribution through the human body. In addition, its various manifestations with different frequency penetrate into certain parts of the body, and often their development is not accompanied by severe symptoms.
Virchowski
Virchow's pathology is formed in the upper region of the collarbone on the neck, a malignant tumor of the stomach is considered a provoking factor.
Location of the lesion due to the flow of lymphatic fluid from the peritoneum.
Fragments of cancer-affected structures move along the lymphatics, flowing into cervical knot. Due to the fact that their further path is blocked, diseased cells begin to form in this place a new formation with the same nature.
Doctors consider the main reason for the appearance of this type of metastasis to be a tumor of the abdominal system, pancreas, or cirrhosis of the liver.
It looks like a large seal, regular, rounded shape, outlined contours, palpation of the focus of inflammation does not cause pain.
Krukenberg
It is characterized by the lymphatic nature of the formation and is located in the ovaries. It makes up about 40% of pathological neoplasms of the secondary type from the total number of metastases in this organ.
Occurs with cancer diagnoses:
- stomach;
- chest;
- intestinal sections;
- bile ducts;
- bladder and cervical anomalies.
Often isolated, and this is not an indicator of the neglect of his staging. Basically, both parts of the body are affected. They are distinguished by their small size, smooth surface and the complete absence of discomfort when pressing on the formation.
If a recurrence is detected, urgent amputation of the ovaries is indicated.
Schnitzlerovsky
Schnitzlerovsky processes are called the development of focal tumors in cellular tissues in the region of the rectum and pareractal lymph nodes.
palpable with finger pressure, visible pain syndrome missing. Provokes this type of metastasis oncology of the stomach. From the point of view of science, it is interesting because it is localized in remote segments of the body.
It is a seal resembling the shape of an egg and is characterized by even, smooth outlines. The movement of atypical cells occurs through the lymphatic system through the following gastric tracts:
- from the right side of the organ;
- from the outflow that goes beyond the cavity;
- from paths ending in peritoneal lymph.
osteoblastic
This type develops in bone tissues and activates the activity of osteoblasts, the excessive activity of which provokes increased calcium deposits in hard tissues, thereby causing their rapid growth.
This process is pathological character and causes irreversible cellular mutations in the bones.
Causes of tumor foci:
- breast cancer;
- prostate cancer;
- damage to the thyroid gland;
- sarcoma.
Osteoblastic metastasis differs from other types of secondary tumor formations in extremely poor prognosis treatment efficacy and low patient survival.
Solitary
Solitary type - single formations of a malignant nature, located in the lungs or brain tissues. Very rarely - in other organs. The value is more than 3 cm, it is diagnosed during an X-ray examination. If it is in the lung, it is enveloped by the parenchyma of the organ and is an active manifestation of a non-small cell form of cancer.
Its appearance has a pronounced relationship with smoking - 90% of patients with solitary metastasis have a long-term nicotine addiction. The penetrating ability of lesions in the organs is rapid and practically cannot be corrected.
osteolytic
Secondary pathology, as described above, is concentrated in bone tissue, however, the specifics of its negative effect on tissues has its own peculiarity. By systematically destroying the structural component of the bones and provoking a strong activity of osteoclasts, it causes a mutation and a qualitative change in the composition of tissues at the molecular level.
The ribs, pelvic bones, and lower extremities . Sometimes the anomaly also captures the brain, partially limiting its activity. A distinctive feature from analogous pathologies is not the proliferation of tissues due to the appearance of bone tumors, but, on the contrary, their persistent destruction.
Description
Metastasis processes are actively triggered in more than 80% of those suffering from cancer of certain departments diagnosed on late stages the course of the disease.
Such a single or multiple screening of cellular fragments of a malignant tumor is a life-threatening phenomenon. Consider how these malignant foci look in various organs and systems of the functioning of the human body.
In the lungs
Lung cancer is the leader among diagnoses with early and aggressive metastasis.
The formations are multiple, regular, rounded. They have a denser structure than the organ itself and a more delicate, pinkish hue.
Similar to spherical moving shadows, they are able to capture almost the entire surface of the organ in a short period of time.
Their distinguishing feature is a clear pulmonary pattern, which retains its natural shape even in those places where it encircles the formations.
The largest malignant foci, about 6 cm in size, the smallest - within 1 cm.
in the liver
Metastases of this organ differ from others in that they can have both simple and complex structure so they may look completely different on the outside.
In the first case, this homogeneous in structural content, foci, characterized by smooth, regular outlines and having different echogenicity. Sometimes they are surrounded by a dark rim and resemble the eye of a fish.
With their complex structure, the composition of tissues is different - inside the formation is denser, and the texture is heterogeneous, which is clearly seen in the photo.
Basically, they are characterized by a multiplicity of processes and are easily diagnosed by ultrasound.
in the bones
The affected irreversible areas of hard tissue in the photo have more dark color. The contour of the organ in the zone of development of the anomaly is deformed, and the focus itself has a red tint and a somewhat voluminous shape, protruding 1–2 mm above the bone surface. The consistency is softer and looser than the place where they are located. They appear multiple, the size varies from 0.5 mm to 4 - 5 cm.
On the skin
located on the surface of the skin and look like small spots or regular round nodules. On palpation, their denser structure is felt in comparison with the skin epithelium in the normal state.
The nature of the distribution is multiple, aggressive, anomalies can quickly increase in size.
The color is predominantly beige, similar to the natural skin tone, which, as the oncology grows, changes to a darker one - red, with a bluish tint, purple, or even black.
Often the halo that envelops them looks inflamed, while the wounds can swell and release an unpleasant-smelling, bleeding fluid.
It is characterized by rather hard, fibrous scars of various sizes.
In the lymph nodes
The processes of metastasis are extensive and appear in the form of fairly large nodular seals, which are not only palpable, but also perfectly visible to the naked eye.
Multiple tuberous seals protrude high above the surface of the neck, and are mobile on palpation. They differ in a purple skin halo encircling the places of manifestation of nodal connections.
in the spine
They have a consistency of medium density, a delicate shade, with relative external fragility, they quickly destroy bone tissue and go to the surface of the intervertebral parts of the organ. In the photo, it can be seen that the affected bone areas somewhat change their shape and size. They are usually located in the central compartment of the spine.
in my head
In fact, metastases located in the head section are characterized by more light color, but for their diagnosis, the patient is injected with a coloring pigment, as a result of which, on the photo image, the anomalies, on the contrary, are darker.
This makes it easier to visualize them. They can be both single and multiple, different in size. The smallest are foci, less than 0.5 cm in diameter, large - more than 7 - 8 cm. The structure of the tumor is heterogeneous, bumpy, closer to the central part the formation is compacted and darker.
In the intestines
In the intestines, metastases are larger, they are distinguished by a rich dark, sometimes black, color. The external structure resembles a walnut, but they have a soft and somewhat elastic texture. Formed in the inner part of the intestine, already later a short time break through the organ and come to the surface, squeezing the tissues and interfering with the processes of digestion.
In the abdominal cavity
It spreads focally, fixing on inside an organ with a membranous structure. Having fixed once, then they become motionless. Rather large foci, have a somewhat elongated shape and are concentrated mainly in the lower part of the peritoneum, where the amount of fluid lubricating the membrane is limited.
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