Etäpesäkeille

Etäpesäkeille, often translated as "metastases" in English, refers to the process by which cancer cells spread from a primary tumor to other parts of the body. This phenomenon is a hallmark of malignant tumors and is a major cause of cancer-related mortality. The spread typically occurs through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system, allowing cancer cells to travel to distant organs. Once in a new location, these cells can form secondary tumors, known as secondary or metastatic tumors.

The development of etäpesäkeille is a complex multi-step process. It begins with the primary tumor invading surrounding tissues. Cancer cells then enter the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels. They may survive in circulation, a process called intravasation and survival. Subsequently, these cells exit the vessels at a distant site, a process called extravasation, and begin to proliferate, forming a new tumor.

The organs most commonly affected by etäpesäkeille depend on the type of primary cancer. For example, breast cancer often metastasizes to the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. Lung cancer can spread to the brain, bones, liver, and adrenal glands. Understanding the patterns of metastasis is crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. Medical imaging techniques like CT scans, MRI, and PET scans are used to detect the presence of etäpesäkeille. Treatment strategies for metastatic cancer aim to control or eradicate the spread and manage symptoms, often involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.