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.
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 usually compare tumor metastatic process to marathon. When tumors develop, they invade the solid tissues around the primary site first. Body tissues are usually complex and they contain several different cells. For instance, they contain fibroblasts, which provide solid support, immune cells, and lymphatic drainage. Fibroblasts provide a barrier, which tumor cells must go past. As an adaptation, the tumor cells develop the ability to move.
Malignant cell movement is not a strange event. Cells crawl, as opposed to floating out of the tissue. They achieve this by fundamentally acting in response to environmental factors. They stretch their finger-like projections that enable their forward movement. For them to move, they must change their capacity to stick to other body cells and protein matrix in the body.
Metastasis as indicated by research is very inefficient. Only 0.01 percent of the tumor cells that get into the blood stream finally metastasize. However, it is still impossible for researchers to establish when and if the tumor cells become metastatic. When being treated, cancer evaluation involves its ability to metastasize.
Thus, treatment that a patient receives is altered according to the ability of the cancer they have to metastasize. Cancers that are in an advanced stage usually have a higher chance of metastasizing than those in their early stages. As a result, advanced cancers are usually treated more aggressively in comparison to those that are in their early stages. Cancerous cells usually metastasize through two major highways, that is, the bloodstream and the lymphatic vessels.
Most cancer cells usually prefer escaping through the lymphatic drainage system. That is why a doctor will usually take a biopsy of the lymphatic nodes to determine if cancerous cells have spread. From the lymphatic vessels, the cells can then enter the bloodstream. Besides entering the bloodstream from lymphatic vessels, cancerous cells can also enter the blood stream directly from blood vessels in the primary tumor.
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 usually compare tumor metastatic process to marathon. When tumors develop, they invade the solid tissues around the primary site first. Body tissues are usually complex and they contain several different cells. For instance, they contain fibroblasts, which provide solid support, immune cells, and lymphatic drainage. Fibroblasts provide a barrier, which tumor cells must go past. As an adaptation, the tumor cells develop the ability to move.
Malignant cell movement is not a strange event. Cells crawl, as opposed to floating out of the tissue. They achieve this by fundamentally acting in response to environmental factors. They stretch their finger-like projections that enable their forward movement. For them to move, they must change their capacity to stick to other body cells and protein matrix in the body.
Metastasis as indicated by research is very inefficient. Only 0.01 percent of the tumor cells that get into the blood stream finally metastasize. However, it is still impossible for researchers to establish when and if the tumor cells become metastatic. When being treated, cancer evaluation involves its ability to metastasize.
Thus, treatment that a patient receives is altered according to the ability of the cancer they have to metastasize. Cancers that are in an advanced stage usually have a higher chance of metastasizing than those in their early stages. As a result, advanced cancers are usually treated more aggressively in comparison to those that are in their early stages. Cancerous cells usually metastasize through two major highways, that is, the bloodstream and the lymphatic vessels.
Most cancer cells usually prefer escaping through the lymphatic drainage system. That is why a doctor will usually take a biopsy of the lymphatic nodes to determine if cancerous cells have spread. From the lymphatic vessels, the cells can then enter the bloodstream. Besides entering the bloodstream from lymphatic vessels, cancerous cells can also enter the blood stream directly from blood vessels in the primary tumor.
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