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What Is a Metastatic Site?

Many people believe that exposure to cell phones, computer monitors and other technological devices can increase the risk of getting cancer or developing more severe forms of cancer. However, the National Cancer Institute states that some technology users actually have a lower chance of developing cancer than the general population. Lifestyle factors also don't affect the risk of developing metastasis, a more severe form of cancer. Only prompt treatment can prevent the disease from spreading to other sites.

  1. Definition

    • Metastasis occurs when cancer spreads beyond its original location in the body. It is also sometimes called Stage IV cancer. At this point, the disease cannot be successfully eradicated and can only be managed, since the cancer has affected the entire organism. Metastatic sites indicate a greatly decreased chance of survival for most patients. Doctors treat this disease using chemotherapy, radiation, surgery or a combination of these and other treatments. Though patients with metastatic cancer are never considered cured, they can go into remission for long periods of time.

    Mechanism

    • Cancer spreads to a metastatic site slowly. The cancer cells first invade normal tissue close to the original tumor site. Over time, they spread through the walls of blood and lymph vessels, entering the bloodstream and lymphatic system. These systems circulate the cancer cells to new parts of the body, where they invade more normal tissue, creating a new tumor. Even if the cancer appears in a different organ or system, the cancer cells stay the same type as the original tumor.

    Common Sites

    • While any part of the body can become a metastatic site, cancer cells target some more than others. According to the National Cancer Institute, metastatic sites appear most often in the lungs, bones and liver. These cancers can be extremely painful and often lead to death. Some cancers also spread to the brain or other parts of the nervous system, such as the adrenal glands.

    Cancer Types

    • All kinds of cancer can turn into metastatic disease, though some are less likely to metastasize than others. For instance, melanoma is much more likely to spread throughout the body than other types of skin cancer. Certain cancers also tend to spread to specific sites. Breast cancer usually moves to the lungs, liver and bones, while melanoma moves to the liver, the lungs and other areas of muscle and skin. Cancers of the digestive system often move to the peritoneum, the tissue lining the abdominal cavity.

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