Metastatic cancer

Cancer that spreads from where it started to another area of the body is known as metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer spreads from a tumor locally to surrounding tissues or regionally to other organs and lymph nodes through the lymphatic system and the blood stream. Common regions of the body where the cancer spreads, are the bones, lungs, brain, and liver.

Almost all cancers can spread. Each type of cancer has a typical pattern of spreading. Tumors that develop away from the site of origin are also called metastases. For example, brain metastases (tumors) often occur from cancers that start in the lung or breast. Bone tumors often occur from cancers of the breast, lung and prostate. Spreading to the liver is most common with lymphomas and cancers of the breast, lung, and gastrointestinal tract. Spreading to the lung is most common from leukemia, lymphoma, sarcomas, and cancers of the breast, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and kidney.

The symptoms of metastatic cancer are often the same as symptoms that would have occurred if the cancer had started in that organ or area. For example, symptoms of metastatic cancer of the brain are the same as symptoms of cancer that began in the brain, and may include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• blurred vision
• nausea
• personality change
• seizures and
• difficulty with balance or walking

The first sign of cancer spreading to bone may be pain or a broken bone, which is caused by normal activity or a minor injury.

Liver tumors can cause:

• weight loss
• fever
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain
• fluid collection in the abdomen and
• jaundice

Lung tumors can cause:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• a cough that does not produce any mucous or
• a cough that does produce a bloody mucous

The cancer may be treated with one or more of the following methods:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• radiation and
• immunotherapy

Each case is treated differently and depends on:

• the original site of the cancer
• how much the cancer has spread
• the overall health of the patient
• the age of the patient and
• the patient's personal preferences

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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