Oncologist told about the locations of metastases in frequent types of cancer

Metastases are malignant cells that separate from a growing tumor and travel to various, sometimes distant, organs together with lymph or blood. Where metastases are most often detected told "Izvestia" on November 30, the head of the Oncology Center "SM-Clinica", oncologist, doctor of medical sciences, professor, excellent health care of the Russian Federation Alexander Seryakov.

"As a rule, metastases occur already at late stages of cancer - III or IV. At stage III metastases are still not far from their source - the tumor, affect the nearest lymph nodes; stage IV is usually characterized by the fact that tumor cells are far from the tumor. For example, in lung cancer they get to the brain or in ovarian cancer - to the liver", - said the expert.

Seriakov specified that both stages mean that the disease is neglected and it is very difficult to treat it. But, according to him, the key to beating cancer, even if there are few chances due to circumstances, is "not to give up"

"That's what I tell my patients. This is the only way to cope with the disease," the oncologist emphasized.

The professor said that despite the many different forms and types of malignant neoplasms, more than half of all detected cases fall into five main diseases: lung cancer, colorectal cancer (colon cancer), stomach cancer, breast cancer, primary and secondary liver cancer.

In these diseases, metastases have their own "favorite" "habitats" where they are most often found: in lung cancer - second lung, liver, adrenal glands, brain; in colorectal cancer - liver, lungs, peritoneum; in stomach cancer - peritoneum, liver, lungs; in breast cancer - lungs, liver, bones; in primary and secondary liver cancer - lungs, bones.

"In order to determine the stage of the disease (and in general to make a diagnosis) it is necessary to visit an oncologist and undergo an examination, including modern imaging techniques: radiography, ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET/CT or PET/MRI, some others, as well as to take tissue samples for histological and immunohistochemical analysis," Seriakov added.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that oncology is currently developing very rapidly: doctors have learned to treat many neglected diseases, to do things that 15-20 years ago seemed like science fiction.

"We are also trying to fight metastases, and we are defeating them too. Yes, it would be untrue to say that it always happens, but even with very complex cancer diseases we are able to fight today: for example, metastases in the peritoneum, appearing at late stages of cancer of the stomach, intestines, organs of the female reproductive system, we treat with surgery combined with "hot" chemotherapy HIPEC; metastases in the brain - with radiotherapy combined with targeted therapy. And so on. Individualized treatment can do a lot," Seriakov explained.

But a lot depends on the person himself, the doctor emphasized. He added that everyone can regularly undergo cancer screenings or at least routine checkups. It is also worth parting with bad habits.

"To take care and love your body is quite in our power. And this is a serious guarantee that cancer can be avoided or at least catch it in its early stages. And then a long, complicated treatment will not be needed," summarized the oncologist.

Earlier, on October 15, plastic surgeon, professor of the Department of Oncology, Radiotherapy and Reconstructive Surgery of Sechenov University Olesya Startseva told "Izvestia" that a positive trend in recent years is the growth of early detection of breast cancer. According to her, smoking and alcohol consumption have a very big impact on the development of breast cancer. At the same time, she noted that the prevention of any cancer should start at an early age.