Cancer is a life-threatening condition that typically forms particularly in one area or region of the body and this region is known as the primary site. Cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body, breaking away from its primary site through the bloodstream or the lymph system and is called metastasis. Metastatic lung cancer occurs when cancer cells break away from a tumor formed in the lungs and travel to other parts of the body through the blood or the lymph system. Even though the cancer cells have traveled and spread to a new location in the body, it is still named after the body part from where it all started. It is common for lung cancer to metastasize even before it is diagnosed, as symptoms generally do not show up when the lung cancer is already present.
The most common sites of metastasis for lung cancer are the other lung, adrenal gland, bones, brain, and liver. Metastatic lung cancer is very different from recurring lung cancer, as recurring lung cancer affects the same part of the lung after being treated rather than moving to some other parts of the body. A metastatic cancer is always caused by the cancer cells developing in some other regions and traveling to another part of the body.
Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer
The symptoms of metastatic lung cancer are related to the area to which cancer spreads and these symptoms can be general. These general symptoms are often confused with some other issues. Hence, this condition is very difficult to identify as it does not always cause discernible symptoms. However, we have listed some of the common symptoms which are related to the site where a new tumor has developed:
Diagnosis
If metastatic lung cancer is suspected then doctors and health experts will check areas in the body where lung cancer usually spreads through various physical exams and other diagnostic tests. Diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer is usually conducted with the following tests:
Treatment
The main objective of metastatic lung cancer treatment is to control the further spread and growth of the cancer cells or to relieve the symptoms. There are several types of treatment available for metastatic lung cancer and every treatment plan depends on different factors such as your age, your overall health condition, medical background, type of primary cancer, size and location of a tumor or tumors.
Different types of metastatic lung cancer treatment include:
Although metastatic lung cancer is life-threatening, it may be diagnosed and treated at an early stage. So, if someone has been already diagnosed with primary lung cancer, they should attend all appointments and treatments with doctors if new symptoms develop and persist for more than a few days.
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