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Metastatic Cancer Symptoms: How to Identify Cancer Spread
By Raveena M Prakash
Cancer becomes more complex and unable to manage the symptoms when it starts to spread from its original site to other parts of the body. This process is known as metastasis, and cancer at this stage is generally called metastatic or advanced cancer. Understanding the symptoms of metastatic cancer in the early days can help patients to manage timely treatment, improve symptom management, and enhance the quality of life.
In this article, we’ll explain more about these cancer, common symptoms of these cancers, and some of the organ-specific signs to watch out for!
What is Metastatic Cancer?
Metastatic cancer develops when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor and flow through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to develop new tumors in distant organs in the body. When the cancer starts to spread, the cancer is still known after the organ where it started originally.
For example, breast cancer that spreads to the bones is usually known as metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer. Metastasis can happen months or even years after initial cancer treatment, making regular monitoring essential.
How does cancer spread?
Cancer can spread through three main ways in the body.
These may include:
- Bloodstream: In most cases, cancer cells usually travel to organs such as the liver, lungs, brain or bones.
- Lymphatic system: In some cases, cancer starts to spread to nearby or distant lymph nodes.
- Direct tissue invasion: Cancer starts to grow into the surrounding organs and nearby tissues.
The symptoms of metastatic cancer might depend on where the cancer has spread in the primary site.
Symptoms of metastatic cancer
In most cases, metastasis doesn’t always show any major signs of cancer. Cancer cells start to grow and spread gradually over many months or years. Some symptoms are common regardless of the organ affected, and they might indicate an advanced cancer.
Here are some of the general symptoms of advanced stage cancer, including:
- Constant fatigue and extreme weakness
- Sudden weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Chronic pain
- Fever or night sweats
- Anemia or low blood count levels
These symptoms are usually mistaken for less serious health conditions, which is why persistent or worsening symptoms should be medically evaluated.
Organ-specific symptoms of cancer spread
Bone metastasis symptoms
Bones are a common site for cancer spread and growth, especially from breast, prostate, lung and kidney cancers.
Signs may include:
- Constant bone pain, mainly in the back, ribs and hips
- Bone fractures occurring with minor injury
- Experiencing swelling or tenderness in affected areas
- Spinal cord compression causing numbness or weakness
- An high calcium levels leads to nausea, confusion or constipation
Lung metastasis symptoms
When cancer spreads to the lungs it starts to affect breathing and oxygen levels in the body.
Symptoms may include:
- Chronic cough
- Blood in the cough
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Recurrent respiratory infections
Liver metastasis symptoms
Liver is another frequent location for metastasis for gastrointestinal and breast cancers.
Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain or swelling
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
Brain metastasis symptoms
When cancer starts to spread in the brain, symptoms might appear suddenly and worsen rapidly.
Symptoms may include:
- Persistent headaches
- Seizures
- Vision problems
- Memory loss
- Personality changes
- Difficulty in speaking
- Difficulty in walking
- Nausea and vomiting
Lymph nodes metastasis symptoms
In some cases, cancer generally spreads first to nearby lymph nodes.
Symptoms of Lymph nodes cancer may include:
- Painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin
- Firm or immobile lumps
- Experiencing enlargement overtime
Signs that cancer may be spreading
Here are some of the warning signs of metastasis, which might indicate cancer progression in the patient's body, these may include:
- Experiencing a worsening pain despite getting effective cancer treatment
- New symptoms starts to appear different parts of the body
- Experiencing a rapid decline in the energy or daily functioning of the body
- Recurrence of cancer symptoms after getting remission
If you or any loved ones of yours are experiencing these types of cancer, consider getting follow-up and further medical evaluation, and any new or unusual symptoms should be consulted immediately.
How is metastatic cancer diagnosed?
Some people may have metastatic cancer at the time of their initial cancer diagnosis. In these cases, a doctor might usually detect metastasis during the initial cancer screening.
These cancer is often diagnosed by a physician using a combination of tests to identify whether the cancer in the patient’s body has spread or not.
These may include:
- Imaging tests (CT scan, MRI, PET Scan)
- Blood tests and tumor markers
- Biopsy of suspected metastatic lesions
- Bone scans or neurological evaluations
In most cases, experts suggest that an early diagnosis of this cancer helps to guide treatment decisions in many cancer patients.
Treatment of metastatic cancer
Metastatic cancer is often not curable, but many treatments can help control the cancer progression and relieve symptoms of this stage of cancer. The treatment options for advanced cancer may include:
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Palliative and supportive care
Advances in cancer treatments have significantly increased the survival rates and improved the quality of life for many cancer patients with metastatic cancer.
When should you consult a doctor
Consult a medical practitioner if you are at an increased risk of developing metastatic cancer due to risk factors like a family history of cancer. In some cases, individual risk factors like smoking or alcohol consumption can also cause metastatic cancer. Try to get an immediate consultation and cancer diagnosis to avoid delayed cancer treatments.
If you start to experience symptoms including:
- Experiencing persistent pain
- Unexplainable symptoms
- New neurological signs
- Difficulty in breathing
- Sudden weight loss
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Any new signs if you have a history of cancer
Consult Today
Metastatic cancer can present with a wide range of signs depending on where the cancer spreads. Being aware of both general and organ-specific signs is essential for early diagnosis and immediate management.
At Oncare, we offer premium- quality cancer treatments, including advanced cancer treatments, at an affordable price range with an experienced cancer specialist consultation.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with cancer, then visit Oncare Cancer Center and book an appointment with an experienced cancer specialist today! Get an estimated cost of your cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, metastatic cancer won’t show any major symptoms. Here are some of the symptoms of metastatic cancer, including extreme fatigue, night sweats and sudden weight loss.
Some people have metastatic cancer initially when they are diagnosed for the first time. In some cases, a healthcare provider detects metastatic cancer after completing the cancer treatments.
Metastatic cancer treated with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy.
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