When cancer returns, you may feel the influx of emotions you felt when you received your initial diagnosis. When you’re in remission, secretly fearing cancer’s return is not uncommon. However, facing that harsh reality is another story. You may feel uncertain and worried about your treatment plan and your future. If your cancer has returned, there are some things you should know as the journey ahead will be challenging, but there are strategies that can help you along the way. As you navigate the journey ahead, knowledge can add to your fuel. We hope the information below can assist you in making some necessary decisions
What is a Cancer Recurrence?
According to the American Cancer Society, in some cases, cancer can come back after treatment. When this happens, it is called cancer recurrence. The cancer can come back in the same place it started, or it may come back somewhere else in the body. When the cancer comes back in a new part of the body, it is still named after the part of the body where it originally started.
Where Does Cancer Recur?
Your cancer may recur in the same place it originally started, or it can move to various parts of your body. The American Cancer Society states that recurrence is divided into three categories, this includes:
- Local recurrence is when the cancer reappears in the same place it was found or is remarkably close by. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or other body parts.
- Regional recurrence occurs in the lymph nodes and tissue near your original cancer. * Distant recurrence refers to cancer that has spread to areas farther away from where your cancer was first located. This is called metastatic cancer.
Let’s take a moment to learn more about metastatic cancer. If you happen to hear the word “metastasis” in conversation as your healthcare providers explain your condition, you may wonder what this word means and how it can impact your healing journey.
What is Metastatic Cancer?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, metastasis occurs when cancer spreads to other areas of your body beyond the place where it originally started. Nearly all cancers have the potential to metastasize, but the predictability of this occurrence heavily relies on factors such as the type, size, and location of the primary tumor. The Cleveland Clinic has provided a concise list of other names for metastatic cancer that you may hear.
This includes:
* Stage IV (4) cancer.
* Secondary cancer.
* Cancer with Mets or Mets cancer
How Does Cancer Spread?
As stated by the National Cancer Institute, cancer can spread in a few ways, including:
- Growing into, or invading, nearby normal tissue.
- Moving through the walls of nearby lymph nodes or blood vessels.
- Traveling through the lymphatic system and bloodstream to other body parts.
- Stopping in small blood vessels at a distant location invades the blood vessel walls and moves into the surrounding tissue.
- Growing in this tissue until a tiny tumor forms.
- This causes new blood vessels to grow, creating a blood supply that allows the metastatic tumor to grow.
Are Specific Cancers More Likely to Metastasize?
Cancer can spread to almost any part of the body, but different types of cancer are more likely to spread to certain areas than others. With the exclusion of lymph nodes, the National Cancer Institute has provided a list of cancers and areas prone to metastasis, this includes the following:
- Bladder cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, bones, and lungs.
- Breast cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, brain, bones, and lungs.
- Colon cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, peritoneum, and lungs.
- Kidney cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, brain, adrenal gland, bones, and lungs.
- Lung cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, brain, adrenal gland, bones, and lungs.
- Melanoma cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, skin, muscle, liver, brain, lungs, and bones.
- Ovarian cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, peritoneum, and lungs.
- Pancreatic cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, peritoneum, and lungs.
- Prostate cancer is prone to spreading to the adrenal gland, liver, bones, and lungs.
- Rectal cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, peritoneum, and lungs.
- Stomach cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, bones, and lungs.
- Thyroid cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, bones, and lungs.
- Uterine cancer is prone to spreading to the liver, peritoneum, vagina, bones, and lungs.
According to this list, cancer cancer most often spreads to the liver, bones, and lungs.
Although the list seems repetitive, we urge you to take a look. You may recognize your diagnosis, which can better prepare you to manage your health.
What Are the Symptoms of Metastasis
Now that you know the areas where cancer is most likely to spread, you may be wondering how you can identify metastasis or if there are any symptoms to look out for. As stated by Healthline, metastatic cancer does not always present itself with symptoms, but when it does occur, you may experience a few things, including the following:
- Bone: pain, easily fractured bones
- Brain: headache, dizziness, vision problems, seizures
- Lung: shortness of breath, cough, chest pain
- Liver: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), bloating, abdominal pain. ]
If your cancer comes back, you may also hear the word “advanced” used to describe your condition. If you are told that your cancer is advanced, it is important to find out exactly what your doctor means. Some healthcare providers use advanced to describe metastatic cancer, and others use it to describe other situations. Understanding what your doctor means is vital, as all metastatic cancers are not advanced.
What is advanced cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, the term ‘advanced cancer’ is commonly used to describe cancers that cannot be cured. These cancers do not completely disappear and remain present despite treatment efforts. However, certain types of advanced cancer can be managed over an extended period and are thought of as ongoing or chronic illnesses.
Advanced cancer can be locally advanced or metastatic.
Locally advanced means that the cancer has grown outside of the body part it started in but has not yet spread to other parts of the body, according to the American Cancer Society. On the other hand, metastatic cancers are characterized by their ability to spread from where they started, but they are often only considered advanced when they cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.
If you are told that your cancer is advanced, you are faced with many decisions about your health, including the route that you would like to take regarding your medical team and care.
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