Metastasis is a Greek word that translates to change of place in the English language. In cancer metastasis research, tumor metastasis refers to the process of movement of tumor cells from original site of the cancer to other parts within the body. This process is fairly complex and according to modern research, it is only partially understood. Research at molecular and biochemical levels has yet to come up with a complete understanding of this process.
Surgery and radiation therapy can be used to adequately treat most cancers. The two treatment choices can either be used to remove or destroy the primary tumor successfully. However, what is contributing to mortality and morbidity in most cancer patients is the spread of tumor cells to secondary locations in the body. It would be very simple for the treatment of the disease to be done if only metastasis can be stopped from happening.
Scientists often make a comparison of the process of metastasis to marathon. Upon the development of malignant tissues, they begin to infest solid tissues around them. Body tissues contain a variety of cells and are very complex. For instance, body tissues have fibroblasts. These cells offer lymphatic drainage, support, and immune cells. They give a barrier that must be infiltrated by tumor cells. Malignant cells adapt to the presence of this barrier by developing the ability 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.
Surgery and radiation therapy can be used to adequately treat most cancers. The two treatment choices can either be used to remove or destroy the primary tumor successfully. However, what is contributing to mortality and morbidity in most cancer patients is the spread of tumor cells to secondary locations in the body. It would be very simple for the treatment of the disease to be done if only metastasis can be stopped from happening.
Scientists often make a comparison of the process of metastasis to marathon. Upon the development of malignant tissues, they begin to infest solid tissues around them. Body tissues contain a variety of cells and are very complex. For instance, body tissues have fibroblasts. These cells offer lymphatic drainage, support, and immune cells. They give a barrier that must be infiltrated by tumor cells. Malignant cells adapt to the presence of this barrier by developing the ability 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.
About the Author:
Get to know the important facts about Cancer metastasis research and how it is progressing in the medical world. To read more about this topic, visit http://www.cytocapsula.com/about-cytocapsula.
No comments:
Post a Comment