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When Cancer Spreads


Metastatic cancer is a cancer that has spread from the part of the body where it started (the primary site) to other parts of the body. ⠀ When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body through the bloodstream or the lymph system (a collection of vessels that carry fluid and immune system ⠀ cells) Cancer cells have to go through several steps to spread to new parts of the body:⠀ – They have to be able to break away from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymph system, which can carry them to another part of the body.⠀ – They need to attach to the wall of a blood or lymph vessel and move through it into a new organ.⠀ – They need to be able to grow and thrive in their new location.⠀ – They need to be able to avoid attacks from the body’s immune system.⠀

Source: American Cancer Society

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