Metastatic Cancer Treatment in India

Metastatic Tumours Causes

Over the years, scientists have been working relentlessly to arrive at some plausible causes for which a tumour may become metastatic. This is very crucial for the study of cancer as metastasis is the prime reason for death due to malignancy. Some of the causes of metastatic tumours are

• Mutation of genes
• Tissue structure getting disorganised
• Chromosome scrambling
• By inheritance
• The immune system getting compromised

Metastatic Tumour Symptoms and Signs

Metastatic cancer does not always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, what they are like and how often you have them will depend on the size and location of the metastatic tumors. Some common signs of metastatic cancer include

• pain and fractures, when cancer has spread to the bone
• headache, seizures, or dizziness, when cancer has spread to the brain
• shortness of breath, when cancer has spread to the lung
• jaundice or swelling in the belly when cancer has spread to the liver.

Metastatic Tumour Diagnosis & Tests

There is no standard test to check for metastasis. Your healthcare provider will order tests based on the type of cancer you have and the symptoms you’ve developed.

Blood tests

Routine blood tests can tell your provider if your liver enzymes are elevated. This could indicate liver metastasis. In many cases, however, these blood test results are normal, even in the presence of advanced cancer.

Tumor markers

Some cancers have tumor markers that can be helpful in monitoring cancer after diagnosis. If tumor marker levels increase, it could mean that your cancer is advancing. Some examples are

• Colon cancer: CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) for colon cancer.
• Ovarian cancer: CA-125 for ovarian cancer.
• Prostate cancer: PSA (prostate-specific antigen) for prostate cancer.
• Testes cancer: AFP (alpha-feto-protein) and HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) for testes cancer.

There are several tumor markers that are less specific, and therefore, not used as a tool for diagnosing metastasis.

Imaging

There are many tests that “take pictures” of the inside of your body. Appropriate tests depend on the symptoms and the type of cancer. Imaging tests may include:

• Ultrasound is one way to evaluate the abdomen and identify any tumors. It can detect fluid in the abdomen and can show the difference between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses.
• CT scan (computed tomography) can detect abnormalities in the head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. It can also identify tumors in the lungs, liver or lymph nodes.
• A bone scan is done with a radioactive tracer that attaches to damaged bones and shows as a “hotspot” on the scan. It’s most useful for evaluating the whole body for evidence of cancer-related bone damage. If your provider suspects a fracture, they may take additional X-rays to determine the extent of the damage.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses radio waves and magnets to take pictures inside of your body. MRI can detect spinal cord damage or identify brain metastasis.
• PET scan (positron emission tomography) works to identify abnormalities anywhere in the body. It uses a special dye containing radioactive tracers that “light up” problematic areas.

The results of these tests may not provide definitive answers. In some cases, your healthcare provider may also take a biopsy (a small tissue sample) of the suspected metastatic tumor.

Metastatic Tumour Treatment & Care

There are treatments for most types of metastatic cancer. Often, the goal of treating metastatic cancer is to control it by stopping or slowing its growth. Some people can live for years with metastatic cancer that is well controlled. Other treatments may improve the quality of life by relieving symptoms. This type of care is called palliative care. It can be given at any point during treatment for cancer. The treatment that you may have depends on your type of primary cancer, where it has spread, treatments you’ve had in the past, and your general health.

Risk Factors of Metastatic Tumour

The most common risk factors for metastatic tumours are:

• Advancing age
• Consumption of alcohol
• Persistent inflammation
• History of allergies
• Dietary habits
• Hormonal changes
• Immunosuppression
• Portliness
• Consumption of tobacco
• Exposure of sunlight
• Race and ethnicity – white-skinned people are more prone than their Asian or African counterparts.