Metastases are basically always a so-called daughter tumor of a tumor or tumor-like tissue. This daughter tumor is usually always located outside the already or originally affected part of the body of the affected person.
What are metastases?
Metastases are formed only by the malignant tumors. In the process of forming metastases, cell division of the diseased or degenerated cells takes place. These split off cells get into the blood stream of the affected person and are thus transported to the different places in the human body, where they settle again in tissue areas. A distribution of the split off tumor cells is also possible via the lymph. However, the size of an existing tumor has nothing to do with its actual formation of metastases, because when breast cancer is diagnosed, for example, metastasis can occur even with very small tumors, of less than one centimeter.
Causes
The causes of metastasis are existing malignant tumors. Thus, metastasis is always meant with the so-called spread of existing tumors to other parts of the body. If an existing cancer is diagnosed in an advanced stage, metastases are also present. In this case, the chances of cure are already reduced. The exact cause mechanism and the associated causes of metastases are not yet fully understood, because cancer cells grow uncontrollably in the human body. Cell division is a very important fact here, because during the division of the cells the connection with the surrounding tissue is interrupted for a very short time. During this short time, the degenerated cells can move through the lymph and bloodstream. Very often the lymph nodes are affected, because they filter out the tumor cells. Basically, it can be said about the cause of metastases that a malignant tumor must always be present, only then can the metastases gradually embed themselves in the surrounding tissue. In essence, however, metastasis depends on the type of tumor and the site of origin of the respective disease, it is in the affected patients.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Metastases are the advanced picture of a cancer. It can take different forms, as the symptoms depend on where in the body metastases have formed. Some metastases are already visible externally. In addition to skin metastases located on the surface of the skin, this is particularly true of metastases to the lymph nodes, which are usually enlarged and often easily palpable when affected. Typical sites for this are the groin, the armpit, the clavicle and the sides of the neck. Other metastases, on the other hand, make themselves felt in functional limitations of internal organs. Lung metastases, for example, can lead to shortness of breath and blood in the sputum. Brain metastases cause a variety of symptoms. Depending on their location, they can cause memory disorders or speech problems, dizzy spells or fainting, and deficits in other parts of the body such as legs and fingers. Metastases to the liver are often noticeable by yellowing of the skin and fatigue. Because metastases are signs of a progressing cancer, they are often recognizable by a markedly reduced ability to exercise. Patients often also have a striking pallor. This is usually the cause of the anemia that accompanies many cancers. This is especially the case when metastases are located in the spinal cord area, where blood formation for the body takes place.
Complications
Metastases are already a serious complication of cancer. Their migration in the body, depending on their quantity and branches, leads to other serious complications. Thus, in principle, metastases can affect all areas of the body that are connected to the lymphatic and blood circulation systems. Crossing the blood-brain barrier is possible. Accordingly, the complications triggered by spreading tumors are numerous. Particular danger arises from diffuse carcinomatosis when tumors metastasize. Such a condition means that an organ or tissue is disorderly invaded by cancer cells, which makes surgery considerably more difficult in the absence of a primary tumor.Removal of entire organs or recurrent tumors is often necessary, as is chemotherapy. Metastases in the brain are also particularly dangerous, because they are difficult to operate on and lead to the most massive impairments. A large amount of metastases in the brain correlates – depending on their location – with a very high mortality rate. In addition, a tumor that has already metastasized can spread its metastases so far that especially small accumulations of cancer cells can be overlooked. Thus, it is possible that additional tumors may be found years after the cancer has been treated as a result of the earlier metastasis. All other complications of metastases are congruent with those of cancer. Once metastases have spread, complete treatment of the cancer is often difficult or impossible.
When should you see a doctor?
Metastases occur in the late stages of cancer and are an urgent reason to see a doctor. Most of the time, the patient himself does not even think about cancer or even metastases, but only now notices the first symptoms. Some cancers are so insidious and difficult to notice that the patient only realizes that something is wrong when the metastases spread. Cancer patients with a known diagnosis, on the other hand, should consult with their treating oncologist about how they might notice metastases forming. Depending on the type of cancer and the part of the body affected, simple regular palpation may be enough to notice changes such as new tumors early. If nothing can be seen or felt, but the symptoms of cancer have changed, this also needs to be investigated by the treating physician. Even if they have gotten better, the doctor needs to know that. From a certain age, regular preventive examinations can be attended as well as examinations can be carried out independently at home. At best, cancer is detected naturally before it could even metastasize. These examinations should be attended and performed regularly, because the earlier possible metastases are detected, the better the patient’s prognosis looks. In addition, preventive checkups are covered by health insurers once the patient reaches a certain age.
Treatment and therapy
There are different options for the treatment of metastases, as they can be treated by surgery as well as chemotherapeutic and medicinal measures. In the treatment of metastases, of course, it also depends on the location of the daughter tumors, depending on which surgery or other measures are used. A standard therapy for metastases, especially bone metastases, is the administration of bisphosphonates. These are special drugs that enable an increased incorporation of minerals and calcium into the bones. As a result, the bone loss caused by the existing tumor can be reduced and the regeneration of the already attacked bone parts can begin.
Outlook and prognosis
The formation of metastases is usually synonymous with a negative prognosis. They represent the most common cause of death in cancer patients. If a tumor has not yet spread, treatment is far more promising. In principle, medical science today is able to decelerate the progression of metastases. However, a final cure is considered impossible in the vast majority of cases. This requires the complete removal of all tumors. The remaining years of life are significantly reduced if the metastases have formed on vital organs. Lung involvement, for example, is considered extremely unfavorable. Only every second patient survives to the fifth year of life. The spread also plays a role. If the number of tumors gets out of hand, chemotherapy is usually the only option. In principle, abstaining from nicotine and alcohol as well as a healthy diet in the decade preceding the prognosis improve the chances of success. If all metastases and the original tumor have been successfully removed, the patient must still expect a limited life expectancy. Experience shows that new tumors form in a large number of cases. Therefore, follow-up care plays an important role.
Prevention
Basically, there is to note here that after a cancer diagnosis, certain measures are always taken to prevent metastasis or recurrence.However, no one can predict this, but affected patients should make sure that follow-up examinations take place at the shortest possible intervals. This is the only way to ensure that metastases do not recur. Certainly, alternative healing methods should also be used in addition to general medical practices. However, this should be discussed with the responsible oncologist, because one should surround oneself only with approved and experienced alternative practitioners, in order to be able to record explicit successes.
Aftercare
The actual cancer treatment is followed by the aftercare. In this process, patients receive individualized care. Thus, tumor aftercare represents an important component of cancer therapy. Among the most important goals of tumor aftercare is the timely detection of a new tumor or metastases (daughter tumors) in other parts of the body. Through early diagnosis, appropriate treatment measures can be initiated immediately, even before symptoms begin. The patient’s quality of life also plays an important role in cancer follow-up. For example, it is important to clarify the consequences of the disease or its therapy on the everyday life of the person affected. The therapists also support the patients in coming to terms with the serious illness. If necessary, they can establish contact with various contacts, and sometimes contact with self-help groups can help to balance the emotional equilibrium by making one aware that one is not alone with one’s suffering. Depending on the type, extent and treatment of the tumor, the doctor will draw up an individual aftercare plan. It is not uncommon for there to be a smooth transition between metastasis therapy, follow-up and aftercare. The duration of follow-up treatment depends on how long the patient suffers from the effects of the tumor disease and when the risk of recurrence has decreased. As a rule, five years are estimated for this. In addition to the type of cancer, the side effects and late effects of the disease and treatment, as well as the individual course of the cancer, are also important for aftercare.
What you can do yourself
Regression of metastases is considered unlikely in a large number of patients. In most cases, metastases can only be removed via surgery. Nevertheless, some sufferers have consistently reported for years that they have been able to improve their health after making lifestyle changes. This also includes the regression of metastases. A vitamin-rich and balanced diet is particularly helpful in this regard, although there is insufficient statistical evidence for effectiveness. Therefore, the advice and tips of different providers must be examined on an individual basis. Nevertheless, medical experts agree that there are various foods that are beneficial for recovery from cancer. A sugar-free diet or fruit juices are among them. In addition, there are dietary supplements that are offered for maintaining health. In addition to a healthy diet, adequate exercise and light sports activities are considered supportive for general well-being. The consumption of harmful substances such as nicotine or alcohol should be completely avoided. Sufficient sleep, the avoidance of unnecessary stress and various relaxation techniques are also recommended with great success. Sufferers experience an improvement in their health in some cases when performing yoga, autogenic training or meditation. Stabilizing mental abilities helps in dealing with current circumstances.
