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Abdominal metastases
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Often, along with the appearance of malignant neoplasms in the body, the spread of small daughter foci, called metastases, begins. They are tissue elements and clusters of cancer cells carried throughout the body by the bloodstream or lymphatic fluid. Metastases are most common in the abdominal cavity.
The probability of metastases increases as the primary cancerous tumor grows, especially in advanced stages, when the tumor disintegrates and disseminates to various parts and tissues of the body. The prognosis for such conditions is extremely unfavorable.
Let's look at information about metastases in the abdominal cavity in more detail.
[ Symptoms of metastases in the abdominal cavity
The clinical presentation of symptoms of metastases in the abdominal cavity directly depends on the immediate localization of multiple formations.
Almost any abdominal cavity organ can be affected, including the abdominal wall and retroperitoneal space. Metastases can often be found in the liver, stomach, intestines along their entire length, in the pancreas, spleen, and female reproductive organs.
First of all, suspicion of the presence of metastases in the abdominal cavity may arise if there is no improvement in the patient's condition after complete removal of the main tumor.
With small sizes of metastatic foci, obvious symptoms may not manifest themselves in any way. This is the main danger of the disease. Signs of general intoxication of the body occur directly during the period of tumor decay.
The following may be observed:
- general depressive state;
- lack of appetite, progressive weight loss;
- weakness, drowsiness, frequent temperature changes;
- nausea, usually accompanied by vomiting, which does not bring relief to the patient.
When abdominal metastases are localized directly in the liver, yellowing of the sclera and skin, a feeling of distension and pain of varying intensity in the right hypochondrium may be observed.
When the intestines are affected by metastases, there are often complaints of constant bowel disorders, the presence of bloody discharge in the feces, sometimes in significant quantities. In severe cases, intestinal obstruction or perforation of the intestine with subsequent internal bleeding and peritonitis is likely to develop.
With the growth of metastases in the stomach, the characteristic manifestations are nausea regardless of food intake, heaviness, a feeling of pressure in the stomach, flatulence. Complaints of pain are practically absent.
It is important to remember that the number of metastases in the abdominal cavity can be multiple, they can be located simultaneously in different organs, and then the clinical symptoms will be mixed.
Metastases in the abdominal lymph nodes
When the primary malignant neoplasm is located in close proximity to the lymphatic vessels, the tumor may grow into the walls of the lymph flow and cancer cells may spread, primarily to nearby lymph nodes. The more aggressive and malignant the tumor growth, the greater the number of metastases that can be directed into the lymph flow. Under unfavorable circumstances, the affected cells can disseminate with the lymph flow over a significant distance from the parent focus, but most often the nearby nodes are affected.
When removing a primary malignant tumor, resection of the first lymph node along the path is mandatory in order to protect the body from the possible spread of metastases into the abdominal cavity.
Metastases in the abdominal lymph nodes can be located in the abdominal wall itself (parietal nodes), or inside the abdominal cavity (visceral nodes), as well as in the retroperitoneal space.
Palpation reveals a marked enlargement and compaction of the lymph nodes closest to the lesion, and their borders are not fused with the surrounding tissues. Pain syndrome is usually absent. Signs of general intoxication, headache, weakness, significant weight loss.
Diagnosis of metastases in the abdominal cavity
For the most reliable diagnosis of metastases in the abdominal cavity, the localization of the main cancerous tumor, its stage of development, and size are determined first. Regardless of whether the mother tumor was removed, the adjacent area is examined first, where the spread of metastatic foci is most likely.
The patient's age is also of great importance: at a younger age, the number and rate of formation of metastases increases.
A mandatory step in diagnosing metastases in the abdominal cavity is collecting anamnesis, the presence of clinical manifestations of dissemination of daughter cancer cells, conducting laboratory tests - a general blood test for anemia, determining the levels of tumor markers in the blood.
Additional diagnostic methods are also required, such as computed tomography of metastases in the abdominal cavity, ultrasound examination, puncture biopsy or trepanopy with sending the collected material for histological examination. Lymphography is used to detect pathological processes in the lymphatic system. Magnetic resonance imaging (with separate layer-by-layer images of the organ) and diagnostic laparotomy may be performed if indicated.
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Treatment of metastases in the abdominal cavity
Successful treatment of metastases in the abdominal cavity directly depends on the stage of development of the maternal malignant tumor and its timely and complete removal. It is also important to detect absolutely all metastases, preventing their further growth and spread by hematogenous or lymphogenous routes.
The main method of treating metastases of abdominal organs is surgical. It includes the removal of detected metastases, sometimes with elements of the affected organs. Surgical intervention is especially necessary in cases of the beginning of the decay of the main or daughter tumors, compression of important blood vessels and nerve endings by metastases, and impaired lymph flow. An indisputable indication for surgery is difficulty in passing feces, metastasis growth into the ureter, and perforation of blood vessels.
Along with the surgical method of treatment, and also as a separate method, chemotherapy is used. Its essence consists in the intraperitoneal administration of drugs, such as the antitumor drug cisplatin, the tumor cell growth inhibitor fluorouracil, etc. Such intraperitoneal therapy, aimed at treating metastases in the abdominal cavity, can last up to one and a half years.
Systemic chemotherapy involves intravenous administration of drugs that limit the proliferation of daughter cells. These drugs include cisplatin, paclitaxel, and topotecan.
Also indicated are radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation of abdominal organ metastases, and cryopreservation of individual areas of affected tissue.
As for the nutritional features during the treatment of abdominal organ metastases, it should be noted that complete abstinence from alcohol, limiting the intake of fatty and spicy foods in the diet will reduce the toxic effect on the liver and speed up the recovery process. A healthy lifestyle, walks in the fresh air, and, most importantly, a positive attitude, a fundamental factor in overcoming any disease, are welcome.
Some folk remedies can be added to the main stages of treatment of abdominal metastases. Medicinal plants such as celandine and golden mustache are successfully used in oncological diseases. However, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dosage and consult a doctor, since uncontrolled doses of these drugs can have a toxic effect on the liver.
Prognosis of abdominal metastases
Just a few years ago, the mortality rate after removal of malignant tumors was 15-20%. But in recent years, surgeons have managed to reduce this figure to 5%.
However, the problem of metastases remains unresolved, so even successfully treated cancer patients must periodically visit cancer clinics and undergo preventive examinations.
Timely referral to an oncologist significantly increases the patient’s chances of a favorable treatment outcome.
Timely surgery to remove the main source of cancer cells, successful diagnosis and treatment of detected metastases in the abdominal cavity make the prognosis more optimistic.
A mandatory rehabilitation course after chemotherapy is important for restoring normal liver function and generally strengthening the weakened body.
It is important to understand the fact that the more advanced the stage of development of a malignant tumor, the greater the number of scattered metastases in the abdominal cavity, and, accordingly, the less optimistic the prognosis we have.
In cases of delayed visits to a doctor, or situations where surgical intervention or chemotherapy is impossible for some reason, the patient is prescribed a course of supportive treatment aimed at alleviating symptoms and prolonging the patient’s life.