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`Metastatic Cancer - National Cancer Institute
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`Metastatic Cancer
`
`What Is Metastatic Cancer?
`
`The main reason that cancer is so serious is its ability to spread in the
`body. Cancer cells can spread locally by moving into nearby normal
`tissue. Cancer can also spread regionally, to nearby lymph nodes, tissues,
`or organs. And it can spread to distant parts of the body. When this
`happens, it is called metastatic cancer. For many types of cancer, it is also
`called stage IV (four) cancer. The process by which cancer cells spread to
`other parts of the body is called metastasis.
`
`When observed under a microscope and tested in other ways, metastatic
`cancer cells have features like that of the primary cancer and not like the
`cells in the place where the cancer is found. This is how doctors can tell
`that it is cancer that has spread from another part of the body.
`
`Metastatic cancer has the same name as the primary cancer. For
`example, breast cancer that spreads to the lung is called metastatic
`breast cancer, not lung cancer. It is treated as stage IV breast cancer, not
`as lung cancer.
`
`Sometimes when people are diagnosed with metastatic cancer, doctors
`cannot tell where it started. This type of cancer is called cancer of
`unknown primary origin, or CUP. See the Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
`page for more information.
`
`In metastasis, cancer cells break away
`from where they first formed (primary
`cancer), travel through the blood or
`lymph system, and form new tumors
`(metastatic tumors) in other parts of the
`body. The metastatic tumor is the same
`type of cancer as the primary tumor.
`
`When a new primary cancer occurs in a person with a history of cancer, it
`is known as a second primary cancer. Second primary cancers are rare.
`Most of the time, when someone who has had cancer has cancer again, it means the first primary cancer has returned.
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`How Cancer Spreads
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`Cancer cells spread through the body in a series of steps. These steps include:
`
`1. Growing into, or invading, nearby normal tissue
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`2. Moving through the walls of nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels
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`3. Traveling through the lymphatic system and bloodstream to other parts of the body
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`4. Stopping in small blood vessels at a distant location, invading the blood vessel walls, and moving into the surrounding tissue
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`5. Growing in this tissue until a tiny tumor forms
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`6. Causing new blood vessels to grow, which creates a blood supply that allows the tumor to continue growing
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`Most of the time, spreading cancer cells die at some point in this process. But, as long as conditions are favorable for the cancer
`cells at every step, some of them are able to form new tumors in other parts of the body. Metastatic cancer cells can also remain
`inactive at a distant site for many years before they begin to grow again, if at all.
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`Where Cancer Spreads
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`Cancer can spread to most any part of the body, although different types of cancer are more likely to spread to certain areas than
`others. The most common sites where cancer spreads are the bone, liver, and lung. The following list shows the most common
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`sites of metastasis, not including the lymph nodes, for some common cancers:
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`Cancer Type
`
`Main Sites of Metastasis
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`Common Sites of Metastasis
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`Cancer Type
`
`Main Sites of Metastasis
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`Bladder
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`Bone, liver, lung
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`Breast
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`Bone, brain, liver, lung
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`Colon
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`Liver, lung, peritoneum
`
`Kidney
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`Adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, lung
`
`Lung
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`Adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, other lung
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`Melanoma
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`Bone, brain, liver, lung, skin, muscle
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`Ovary
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`Liver, lung, peritoneum
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`Pancreas
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`Liver, lung, peritoneum
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`Prostate
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`Adrenal gland, bone, liver, lung
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`Rectal
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`Liver, lung, peritoneum
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`Stomach
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`Liver, lung, peritoneum
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`Thyroid
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`Bone, liver, lung
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`Uterus
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`Bone, liver, lung, peritoneum, vagina
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`Symptoms of Metastatic Cancer
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`Metastatic cancer does not always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, their nature and frequency will depend on the size
`and location of the metastatic tumors. Some common signs of metastatic cancer include:
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`Pain and fractures, when cancer has spread to the bone
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`Headache, seizures, or dizziness, when cancer has spread to the brain
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`Shortness of breath, when cancer has spread to the lung
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`Jaundice or swelling in the belly, when cancer has spread to the liver
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`• • • •
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`Treatment for Metastatic Cancer
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`Once cancer spreads, it can be hard to control. Although some types of metastatic cancer can be cured with current treatments,
`most cannot. Even so, there are treatments for all patients with metastatic cancer. The goal of these treatments is to stop or slow
`the growth of the cancer or to relieve symptoms caused by it. In some cases, treatments for metastatic cancer may help prolong
`life.
`
`The treatment that you may have depends on your type of primary cancer, where it has spread, treatments you’ve had in the past,
`and your general health. To learn about treatment options, including clinical trials, find your type of cancer among the PDQ®
`Cancer Information Summaries for Adult Treatment and Pediatric Treatment.
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`When Metastatic Cancer Can No Longer Be Controlled
`
`If you have been told you have metastatic cancer that can no longer be controlled, you and your loved ones may want to discuss
`end-of-life care. Even if you choose to continue receiving treatment to try to shrink the cancer or control its growth, you can always
`receive palliative care to control the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. Information on coping with and
`planning for end-of-life care is available in the Advanced Cancer section.
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`Ongoing Research
`
`Researchers are studying new ways to kill or stop the growth of primary and metastatic cancer cells. This research includes finding
`ways to help your immune system fight cancer. Researchers are also trying to find ways to disrupt the steps in the process that
`allow cancer cells to spread. Visit the Metastatic Cancer Research page to stay informed of ongoing research funded by NCI.
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`Related Resources
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`Advanced Cancer
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`Coping with Advanced Cancer
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`Updated: July 11, 2016
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`Most text on the National Cancer Institute website may be reproduced or reused freely. The National Cancer Institute should be credited as
`the source. Please note that blog posts that are written by individuals from outside the government may be owned by the writer, and
`graphics may be owned by their creator. In such cases, it is necessary to contact the writer, artist, or publisher to obtain permission for
`reuse.
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