Metastasis as a term derives from a Greek term, which means change of place in the English language. In cancer metastasis research, tumor metastasis is known as the process through which tumor cells move from their original cancer site to other places within the body. The complexity of the process is high and it is only partially understood in modern research. The full understanding of the process is yet to be established by research at biochemical and molecular levels.
Many types of cancers may be sufficiently treated by employing surgery and radiotherapy. The two forms of treatment may be successfully employed in the destruction or removal of primary tumors. Nevertheless, mortality and morbidity in most patients are as a result of the movement of malignant cells. Treatment of the disease would be easier if a method can be found for stopping metastasis from happening.
Researchers normally liken tumor metastatic process to a marathon. Firstly, once tumors develop, they invade the body tissues that are around the primary site. Body tissues are normally complex and consist of a number of different cells. For example, they have fibroblasts whose function is to provide solid support, lymphatic drainage, and immune cells. The fibroblasts offer a barrier which must be traversed by tumor cells. To do this, tumor cells adapt and develop the capability to move.
The manner in which the tumor cells move is not strange. Instead of the cells floating out of the tissue, they crawl. Basically, this happens by them reacting to various aspects within the environment they are in. They project finger-like projections of their cell which allows their forward movement. For forward movement to happen, their ability to adhere to the protein matrix and other body cells has to be altered.
Research indicates that the process of metastasis is very inefficient. Only 0.01 percent of tumor cells that enter the blood stream end up forming a metastasis. Researchers are however still unable to determine when and if tumor cells will become metastatic. During treatment, cancers are usually evaluated based on their ability to become metastatic.
As a result, the patient gets treatment tailored to the capacity of the cancer they suffer from to become metastatic. Advanced cancers have an increased chance of getting metastatic when compared to early cancers. As such, progressive cancers are normally treated with more aggression as opposed to those in initial stages. Malignant cells normally get metastatic via two main avenues. These are lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream.
The lymphatic drainage is usually the preferred escape route for most tumor cells. This is the reason why a doctor performs a biopsy of the lymphatic node for determining whether the spread of cancerous cells has occurred. From there, they can get into the bloodstream. Cancerous cells can also enter the bloodstream from the blood vessels that are in the primary tumor besides the lymphatic vessels.
Many malignant cells die upon getting into the blood stream since the environment inside the vessels is harsh. This is because it has blood flowing fast and has immune cells. The malignant cells are deposited in a number of organs where they begin developing into tumors.
Many types of cancers may be sufficiently treated by employing surgery and radiotherapy. The two forms of treatment may be successfully employed in the destruction or removal of primary tumors. Nevertheless, mortality and morbidity in most patients are as a result of the movement of malignant cells. Treatment of the disease would be easier if a method can be found for stopping metastasis from happening.
Researchers normally liken tumor metastatic process to a marathon. Firstly, once tumors develop, they invade the body tissues that are around the primary site. Body tissues are normally complex and consist of a number of different cells. For example, they have fibroblasts whose function is to provide solid support, lymphatic drainage, and immune cells. The fibroblasts offer a barrier which must be traversed by tumor cells. To do this, tumor cells adapt and develop the capability to move.
The manner in which the tumor cells move is not strange. Instead of the cells floating out of the tissue, they crawl. Basically, this happens by them reacting to various aspects within the environment they are in. They project finger-like projections of their cell which allows their forward movement. For forward movement to happen, their ability to adhere to the protein matrix and other body cells has to be altered.
Research indicates that the process of metastasis is very inefficient. Only 0.01 percent of tumor cells that enter the blood stream end up forming a metastasis. Researchers are however still unable to determine when and if tumor cells will become metastatic. During treatment, cancers are usually evaluated based on their ability to become metastatic.
As a result, the patient gets treatment tailored to the capacity of the cancer they suffer from to become metastatic. Advanced cancers have an increased chance of getting metastatic when compared to early cancers. As such, progressive cancers are normally treated with more aggression as opposed to those in initial stages. Malignant cells normally get metastatic via two main avenues. These are lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream.
The lymphatic drainage is usually the preferred escape route for most tumor cells. This is the reason why a doctor performs a biopsy of the lymphatic node for determining whether the spread of cancerous cells has occurred. From there, they can get into the bloodstream. Cancerous cells can also enter the bloodstream from the blood vessels that are in the primary tumor besides the lymphatic vessels.
Many malignant cells die upon getting into the blood stream since the environment inside the vessels is harsh. This is because it has blood flowing fast and has immune cells. The malignant cells are deposited in a number of organs where they begin developing into tumors.
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