When cancer spreads from its origin to any other part of the body, this is known as metastasis. Cancer cells can spread to other areas of the body via the lymph nodes and the bloodstream. With some forms of cancer, metastasis is predictable. This gives doctors the ability to keep a close watch on other areas of the body that may be susceptible to the cancer.
Progression of Mesothelioma
mesothelioma research
Unfortunately, most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until the disease has already progressed to Stage 3 or 4; therefore, it is common for the cancer to have already become a metastatic disease by the time the mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even after discovery, the metastasis of mesothelioma can take place as the cancer advances. Many types of cancer may spread to the brain or bones in its later stages, but mesothelioma is different in this respect. This cancer tends to spread to the organs near the lung that contained the first tumor. This is referred to as “local spread.”
It is thought that mesothelioma is a faster traveling form of cancer than most others because of the location of the tumors in or near the lung. Since the lungs send oxygen through the body, the cancer cells from mesothelioma can enter the bloodstream more quickly and begin to travel throughout the body.
It is possible to track the advancement of mesothelioma by using diagnostic imaging test like a MRI or CT scan. A patient may begin to experience symptoms that are not related to mesothelioma, causing the doctor to deduce that the cancer may have spread elsewhere. When this happens, the imaging tests may be performed and blood tests administered.
Treatment of Mesothelioma Metastases
Metastasis of mesothelioma can completely steer the treatment away from the initial course of action. At this point it becomes important to address the cancer that is now in another part of the body in order to come up with a different treatment program. Often, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is recommended, but at this point most treatment options can only decrease pain and make the patient more comfortable so he or she can have a better quality of life.
An oncologist with a strong background in aggressive diseases related to asbestos like mesothelioma can suggest a treatment plan that will work best for both the mesothelioma and the metastases.
Brain Metastases
While mesothelioma normally metastasizes locally, there are documented cases of brain metastases. Since malignant mesothelioma rarely spreads to the brain, bones, or adrenal glands, patients with the disease should not be overly concerned about this occurring. When brain metastases have occurred, the diagnosis has not been determined until the late stages of its advancement.
After the cancer reaches more remote parts of the body, treatments used are normally palliative. This means that their main purpose is not to cure the disease but to relieve associated symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. Treatments aimed more towards a cure are likely to have a better effect when the cancer is caught fairly early. There are those patients who have survived mesothelioma because of success with treatment options that are aggressive.
References:
American Cancer Society
Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network
Progression of Mesothelioma
mesothelioma research
Unfortunately, most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until the disease has already progressed to Stage 3 or 4; therefore, it is common for the cancer to have already become a metastatic disease by the time the mesothelioma is diagnosed. Even after discovery, the metastasis of mesothelioma can take place as the cancer advances. Many types of cancer may spread to the brain or bones in its later stages, but mesothelioma is different in this respect. This cancer tends to spread to the organs near the lung that contained the first tumor. This is referred to as “local spread.”
It is thought that mesothelioma is a faster traveling form of cancer than most others because of the location of the tumors in or near the lung. Since the lungs send oxygen through the body, the cancer cells from mesothelioma can enter the bloodstream more quickly and begin to travel throughout the body.
It is possible to track the advancement of mesothelioma by using diagnostic imaging test like a MRI or CT scan. A patient may begin to experience symptoms that are not related to mesothelioma, causing the doctor to deduce that the cancer may have spread elsewhere. When this happens, the imaging tests may be performed and blood tests administered.
Treatment of Mesothelioma Metastases
Metastasis of mesothelioma can completely steer the treatment away from the initial course of action. At this point it becomes important to address the cancer that is now in another part of the body in order to come up with a different treatment program. Often, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation is recommended, but at this point most treatment options can only decrease pain and make the patient more comfortable so he or she can have a better quality of life.
An oncologist with a strong background in aggressive diseases related to asbestos like mesothelioma can suggest a treatment plan that will work best for both the mesothelioma and the metastases.
Brain Metastases
While mesothelioma normally metastasizes locally, there are documented cases of brain metastases. Since malignant mesothelioma rarely spreads to the brain, bones, or adrenal glands, patients with the disease should not be overly concerned about this occurring. When brain metastases have occurred, the diagnosis has not been determined until the late stages of its advancement.
After the cancer reaches more remote parts of the body, treatments used are normally palliative. This means that their main purpose is not to cure the disease but to relieve associated symptoms and make the patient more comfortable. Treatments aimed more towards a cure are likely to have a better effect when the cancer is caught fairly early. There are those patients who have survived mesothelioma because of success with treatment options that are aggressive.
References:
American Cancer Society
Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network
