Metastatic Lung Cancer

1. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT METASTATIC CANCER TREATMENT What Is Metastatic Cancer? The primary reason cancer is a very deadly ailment is the ability it has of spreading in the human body, affecting normal tissues that are nearby, lymph nodes and organs as well as distant regions of the body. The first cancer is known as the primary tumor while cancer that develops in other parts of the body is called secondary or metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer usually develops from primary cancer and therefore possesses the same type of cancer cells. For instance, colon cancer can spread to the pancreas; thus the cancer cells in the pancreas are colon cancer cells, or more accurately, metastatic colon cancer, and not pancreas cancer. Metastatic cancer is otherwise known as Advanced cancer Metastatic tumor or disease Metastasis (one malignant tumor) Metastases (more than one malignant tumor) How Metastatic Cancer Develops All cancer cells have the innate ability to spread. Metastatic cancer is a phrase used for describing solid tumors that has multiplied itself in other parts of the body. The term cannot be used to describe, say, lymphoma or leukemia (when they are diagnosed) even though they are considered or believed to be widespread. It is possible for a person living with cancer not to develop metastatic cancer. Many factors which determine whether cancer spreads to other parts of the body include: The nature of the cancer The location and size of the primary cancer The grade of the primary cancer

2. Cancer treatments that were used and how effective they were How long the primary cancer was in the body Metastatic cancer could develop years after the primary cancer was first detected. At times, the cancer may have already metastasized by the time it is identified or diagnosed. Metastatic Cancer Treatment Metastatic cancer is always more tricky and difficult to treat when compared to the treatment of primary cancer. On the whole, the aim of treating metastatic cancer is to extend the continued existence of the patient as well as to maintain the patient’s quality of life. Cancer treatments slow and control the growth or further development of metastases, though it doesn’t disappear completely. Supportive therapies are used to prevent or manage complications that arise as a result of metastatic cancer. The treatment or management of metastatic cancer depends on many factors, some of which include where it started, its locations, symptoms and extent of metastasis, what procedures were used to manage primary cancer, the objective of the treatment, the overall health of the patient and personal preferences. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other drug therapies could be used to treat metastatic cancer. To know more about how to treat metastatic cancer, visit mypecomastudy.com