Q. How and why does metastasis occur?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another. It occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
The process of metastasis is complex and not fully understood, but it involves several steps:
Cancer cells break away from the original tumor.
The cancer cells travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body.
The cancer cells attach to new tissue and begin to grow.
The new tumors often interfere with normal organ function and can be deadly.