Is Metastatic Cancer Always Lethal?

Is Metastatic Cancer Always Lethal?

Many tumours can be treated with surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments. But once cancer spreads
throughout the body, or metastasizes, it becomes difficult to treat or stop it.

The main reason that makes cancer serious
is its ability to spread in the body. Cancer can spread regionally as well, to
nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other organs. It can also spread to distant
parts of the body – when this happens, it is called Metastatic Cancer.
Metastatic Cancer is generally called Stage IV cancer or Advanced Cancer.

What
are the Symptoms of Metastatic Cancer?

Metastatic Cancer does not always cause
symptoms. When symptoms do arise, their nature and regularity will depend on
the size and location of the metastatic tumours. Some common signs of
metastatic cancer include:

• Pain and fractures, when cancer
  has spread to the bone
• Jaundice or swelling in the
  belly, when cancer has spread to the liver
• Shortness of breath, when
  cancer has spread to the lungs
• Headache, seizures, or
  dizziness, when cancer has spread to the brain

Does
Treatment Cure Metastatic Cancer?

In some cases, Metastatic Cancer can be
cured, but in most cases mortality rates are high. However, doctors can slow
down its growth and reduce its symptoms. It is possible to live for many months
or years with certain types of cancer, even after the development of metastatic
disease.

How well any treatment works depends on:

• The type of cancer
• The size of tumours
• Its rate of growth
• Its location and presence in
  the body
• The treatment method
• responseof cancer, to the treatment