How does cancer spread through the body? - Ivan Seah Yu Jun
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Cancer can spread through different routes like transcoelomic, hematogenous, and lymphatic spread to distant body parts, influenced by factors like cancer cell properties and immune system effectiveness, with ongoing research on immunotherapy to combat metastasis.
Insights
- Metastasis, the spread of cancer from its original site to other parts of the body, can occur through three main routes: transcoelomic spread, hematogenous spread, and lymphatic spread, each involving distinct mechanisms of cancer cell migration.
- The success of metastasis is influenced by factors such as the properties of cancer cells, the effectiveness of the immune system, and specific sites of metastasis for different types of cancer, leading to ongoing research in areas like immunotherapy to target and combat the spread of cancer.
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Recent questions
What is metastasis?
The process where cancer spreads to other organs.
How does cancer spread?
Through routes like transcoelomic, hematogenous, and lymphatic spread.
What theories explain metastasis?
Seed and soil theory, vascular and lymphatic channels theory.
What influences metastasis success?
Factors like cancer cell properties and immune system effectiveness.
How can immunotherapy combat metastasis?
By leveraging the immune system's power to target cancer cells.
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Summary
00:00
Understanding Cancer Metastasis: Routes and Theories
- Cancer typically starts as a solitary tumor in the body, with the potential to spread to other organs, including distant areas like the brain, a process known as metastasis.
- Metastasis occurs through three common routes: transcoelomic spread, where malignant cells penetrate body cavities' surfaces like the peritoneum; hematogenous spread, where cancer cells invade blood vessels to reach distant body parts; and lymphatic spread, where cancer invades lymph nodes and travels through the lymphatic system.
- Different cancers have specific sites of metastasis, with theories like the seed and soil theory by Stephen Paget and the vascular and lymphatic channels theory by James Ewing explaining the process. Factors like cancer cell properties and immune system effectiveness also influence metastasis success, with ongoing research focusing on immunotherapy to combat metastasis by leveraging the immune system's power.
