Metastasis
Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the original (primary) tumor to distant sites in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. In mesothelioma, metastasis to the lymph nodes, liver, bones, or contralateral lung typically indicates advanced disease and limits surgical treatment options.
Mesothelioma tends to spread locally within the chest or abdominal cavity before metastasizing to distant organs. However, as the disease progresses to stages III and IV, distant metastasis becomes more common. Sarcomatoid and biphasic cell types are more prone to early metastasis than epithelioid cells.
The presence or absence of metastasis is a key factor in staging and treatment planning. Patients without distant metastasis may be candidates for potentially curative surgery such as EPP or pleurectomy/decortication. When metastasis is present, treatment focuses on systemic therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
PET/CT scans are the primary tool for detecting metastatic disease in mesothelioma patients. Accurate staging with attention to metastatic spread is essential for developing an appropriate treatment plan. Learn more about staging and treatment options.
- Also known as
- Metastatic disease, Mets, Secondary cancer
- Category
- Medical
- Related terms
- Cancer Staging, Prognosis, Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy
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