Metastasis: How Cancer Spreads

00:01:48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQwar_-QdiQ

Summary

TLDRMetastatic cancer is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, occurring when cancer cells detach from the primary tumor and spread to other tissues. This leads to damage in vital organs like the brain, lungs, and liver. Cancer cells may break off, entering blood or lymph vessels, and while many die during transit, some survive and form new tumors in other locations. The spread is influenced by the original tumor's site; for instance, breast cancer commonly spreads to bones, lungs, liver, and brain, while colon cancer tends to target the lungs and liver as well. Importantly, metastatic tumors are classified as the same type of cancer from which they originated. Treatment for metastatic cancers typically mirrors that of the primary cancer type. Ongoing research aims to better understand and prevent metastasis, to ultimately reduce cancer fatalities.

Takeaways

  • 🧬 Metastatic cancer causes most cancer deaths.
  • 🚦 Metastasis involves cancer cells breaking off and traveling to other tissues.
  • 🌍 Cancer cells use blood and lymph vessels as highways.
  • 💔 Damage to vital organs like the brain and liver can occur due to metastasis.
  • 🏥 Treatment for metastatic tumors matches the original cancer type.
  • 🔍 Research is focused on preventing metastasis to reduce cancer fatalities.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:01:48

    Most cancer deaths result from metastatic cancer, which occurs when cancer cells separate from the primary tumor and spread to other organs. This process damages critical organs like the brain, lungs, and liver. Cancer cells can enter blood and lymph vessels, using them to travel throughout the body, although many cells perish in transit. Survivors can attach to vessel walls, invade surrounding tissues, and reproduce, forming metastatic tumors. The spread of cancer cells is location-dependent; for example, breast cancer often metastasizes to bones, lungs, liver, and brain, while colon cancer commonly affects the lungs and liver. Importantly, metastatic tumors retain the characteristics of the original cancer type. Ongoing research aims to understand and prevent metastasis, which could significantly reduce cancer mortality.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • What causes cancer deaths?

    Most cancer deaths are caused by metastatic cancer.

  • What is metastasis?

    Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break off from the primary tumor, travel through the body, and grow in other tissues.

  • How do cancer cells spread?

    Cancer cells can spread through nearby blood vessels and lymph vessels.

  • Where do cancer cells tend to spread?

    Cancer cells tend to spread to specific organs depending on the original tumor's site.

  • What type of cancer is a metastatic tumor?

    A metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor.

  • How is metastatic colon cancer treated?

    Metastatic colon cancer is typically treated with therapies used for colon cancer.

  • What are researchers studying regarding metastasis?

    Researchers are studying how to prevent metastasis to reduce cancer deaths.

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  • 00:00:00
    Most cancer deaths are caused by metastatic cancer.
  • 00:00:04
    Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break off from the original tumor, which is also
  • 00:00:09
    called the primary tumor, travel through the body, and begin to grow in other tissues and
  • 00:00:15
    organs.
  • 00:00:16
    Metastasis causes death by damaging important organs, such as the brain, lungs, and liver.
  • 00:00:23
    Cancer cells continually break off from the primary tumor.
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    Some of these cells may move into nearby blood vessels and lymph vessels.
  • 00:00:31
    Cancer cells can travel along these “vessel highways” to other parts of the body.
  • 00:00:36
    Many cancer cells die while traveling through the blood and lymph vessels, but some may
  • 00:00:40
    survive and stick to the vessel wall, then move through the vessel wall into another
  • 00:00:46
    body tissue.
  • 00:00:47
    These cells may then divide and form a metastatic tumor.
  • 00:00:52
    Where are cancer cells most likely to spread?
  • 00:00:55
    Cancer cells tend to spread to certain places in the body depending on the site where the
  • 00:00:59
    tumor first formed.
  • 00:01:01
    For example, breast cancer tends to spread to the bones, lungs, liver, and brain, and
  • 00:01:06
    colon cancer tends to spread to the lungs and liver.
  • 00:01:10
    It’s important to remember that a metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary
  • 00:01:16
    tumor.
  • 00:01:17
    In this example, colon cancer cells have traveled through blood vessels and formed metastatic
  • 00:01:22
    tumors in the liver.
  • 00:01:24
    These metastatic tumors are colon cancer, not liver cancer.
  • 00:01:28
    Metastatic colon cancer is usually treated with drugs and other therapies used to treat
  • 00:01:33
    colon cancer.
  • 00:01:35
    Researchers at the National Cancer Institute and other research organizations are studying
  • 00:01:39
    metastasis and ways to prevent it.
  • 00:01:42
    Preventing metastasis will help prevent many cancer deaths.
Tags
  • metastasis
  • cancer
  • tumor
  • primary tumor
  • research
  • treatment
  • spreading
  • mortality
  • organs
  • cancer cells