Prognosis for metastases

As mentioned above, metastases spread in the last stages of the disease. They migrate via the lymphatic path towards other organs and form daughter tumors there. There are so-called regional lymph nodes, which are located directly on the respective organ.

These are usually affected at the earliest stage. However, the lymph then migrates to collective lymph nodes, where the lymph of many body regions and organs is collected. Through these it can spread further in the body.

However, many metastases also penetrate blood vessels in order to spread. However, this can only happen once the tumor has connected to the body’s blood–lymph system. Metastases are not new tumors, but consist of the same tissue as the primary tumor and can therefore be treated in a similar way to the actual tumor.

In colorectal cancer, the lymph nodes are the first to be affected.Afterwards, the metastases very often spread to the lungs and/or liver. The advantage is that these metastases are often easily operable or can be reduced by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, treatment of metastases in colorectal cancer only makes sense if the primary tumor has been operated on.

Unfortunately, metastases can reappear after some time even after complete removal. For this very reason, however, follow-up appointments are arranged at regular intervals. It should also be noted that although in most cases it is the liver and lungs into which the metastases spread, any other organ can also be affected.

Unfortunately, cancer does not follow any guidelines. Chemotherapy plays a major role in most types of cancer. Often it is administered supportively after an operation so that really all cancer cells can be destroyed.

Even if the operation was successful, chemotherapy is given as standard for colon cancer from stage 3. Sometimes cancer cells remain that could not be localized in this way. An appropriate therapy can kill those cells.

However, this form of therapy is not only used in connection with the primary tumor. Chemotherapy can also be very effective in combating metastases, which in the case of colon cancer are mainly located in the lungs and liver. In some cases, the daughter tumors can be reduced in size and perhaps operated on afterwards.

It can also be a palliative measure that delays the disease if the spread of metastases and the growth of the primary tumor can be stopped, or the tumors can be reduced in size. If the daughter tumor or the primary tumor can be treated effectively with chemotherapy, this can also alleviate the symptoms. Although many cancer patients have had such good experiences with this therapy, it should also be mentioned in this context that chemotherapy is an enormous burden on the body.

The tricky thing is that chemotherapy is directed against all cells that divide quickly. This generally affects many cells in the digestive tract, but also hair and nails. This is why the characteristic side effects such as hair loss, brittle nails, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and severe fatigue and listlessness usually occur.

Whether or not a patient receives chemotherapy is primarily a matter for the person being treated to decide for himself. In addition, the physical condition plays a major role. It is also possible to receive chemotherapy as an outpatient or inpatient treatment.

Again, the patient’s condition and the expected side effects play a major role in the decision. It is important to get good advice before the treatment. This is usually done by the oncologist in charge.