Metastases for stomach cancer

Metastases are particles of a malignant tumor in other organs and tissues. The process of spreading tumor cells is called metastasis. It occurs most often in the current of the lymph, less often, through the venous blood flow, and even less often through arterial embolism. The cancer of the stomach is most often spread by lymphogenous and hematogenous pathways. Moreover, the distinguishing feature of the first method is metastasis in the nearby lymph nodes. At the second type of site, secondary tumors are formed by the current of venous blood in distant organs and tissues. How does the metastasis process occur? Metastases in stomach cancer are formed by tearing off a small area of the tumor (or even a few cells) and getting them into the lymph flow. In lymphatic vessels, the process of reproduction of tumor cells occurs, followed by inhibition of one or another organ in the lymph nodes, where the formation of metastasis occurs. Metastases when they reach a certain size can be called a secondary tumor. The secondary tumor consists of the same cells as the primary (original).

Metastases are formed in 80-90% of patients with stomach cancer in the late stages of the disease. With the appearance of secondary tumors resection of the primary tumor does not affect the life of the patient in any way, so the question of conducting an operation is often eliminated.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Stomach cancer and liver metastases

With gastric cancer, the most frequent place of localization of metastases is the liver. In the initial stage, there are no special clinical manifestations. With prolonged development, weight loss, dull aching pain in the right upper quadrant, increased body temperature, fatigue can be observed. Later, there is a violation of the liver and, as a consequence, an increase in its size and the formation of minor jaundice. Diagnosis of liver metastases in gastric cancer is usually performed by examining the abdominal cavity with an ultrasound device. Treatment of metastases in the liver in stomach cancer is to suspend the increase in their number and size by radiation and chemotherapy. If metastasis in the liver is extensive, then, unfortunately, no therapy will help prolong the patient's life. The outcome with metastases in the liver is quite deplorable. If a secondary tumor is found in the liver, the patient is given a period of one week to a month.

Stomach cancer and metastasis to the lungs

Metastases in the lungs are second in frequency with occurrence of gastric cancer. The main symptom of the appearance of secondary tumors in the lungs are shortness of breath, coughing and hemoptysis. At the last stage, pain occurs when inhaling and bleeding from the lungs. Diagnosis of metastases in the lungs is performed by taking a picture of the radiography. On the film in the place of formation of secondary tumors, darkened areas will be seen. Treatment of lung metastases in gastric cancer is aimed at maximizing the viability of the organ with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The outcome in the generalization of metastases in the lungs, as in the liver, is disappointing. Patients live from a week to a month.

Gastric cancer and metastasis in the spine

Metastases in the spine with stomach cancer are a fairly rare case. These secondary tumors usually do not have an effect for a very long time. If resection of the primary tumor of the stomach with regional lymph nodes has been performed and then radiation or chemotherapy has not been performed, then there is a possibility that the tumor particles could have entered the spine. Clinical manifestations of metastases in the spine look like neurological pains (radiculitis), which with the growth of the tumor can lead to complete paresis of the limbs due to compression of the roots of the spinal nerves. The complexity of the diagnosis lies in the fact that the metastases grow inside the bone tissue. This also presents a huge problem when trying to remove metastasis. The prognosis of metastases in the spine is quite comforting, as early detection can be cured with chymeotherapy and radiotherapy.

Diagnosis of metastases in stomach cancer

Diagnosis of metastases in stomach cancer depends on their location. For diagnosis use:

• ultrasound examination (to determine the presence of secondary tumors in the abdominal cavity, liver);
• magnetic resonance imaging (to determine secondary tumors in immobile organs, such as the liver, bone tissue);
• X-rays (to determine the presence of secondary tumors in the lungs and liver);
• puncture (to determine the presence of secondary tumors in the cavities of the organs and skin).

[8], [9], [10]

Treatment of metastases in stomach cancer

With extensive metastasis treatment is aimed at maximizing the viability of an organ. Delete all metastases is impossible, therefore surgical treatment is considered impractical. Completely stop the growth of secondary tumors, too, is not possible, so the use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, primarily aimed at extending the patient's life. Prognosis for metastatic cancer of the stomach, as a rule, disappointing. The lethality is more than 98%.