Lets say someone goes to the doctor: The doctor sees tumors in the lungs and in the liver. Why does the doctor know that its liver cancer that spread to the lungs and not lung cancer that spread to the liver?
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Questions is a bit off, If there is cancer in the lungs and liver, its unlikely from either of those organs. But i think i get u
Once cells lose their regulatory settings, and end up dividing endlessly (cancer), to the point that they spread around the body (metastatic), the cell no longer looks like what it started as
So if it was a liver cell that became cancer, and traveled to the lung, and they took a piece of that tissue(biopsy), it doesnt look like a liver cell
sometimes sequencing or biochemical assay can determine the origin (IHC) but sometimes the cell is so deranged that its a mystery
Questions is a bit off, If there is cancer in the lungs and liver, its unlikely from either of those organs. But i think i get u
Once cells lose their regulatory settings, and end up dividing endlessly (cancer), to the point that they spread around the body (metastatic), the cell no longer looks like what it started as
So if it was a liver cell that became cancer, and traveled to the lung, and they took a piece of that tissue(biopsy), it doesnt look like a liver cell
sometimes sequencing or biochemical assay can determine the origin (IHC) but sometimes the cell is so deranged that its a mystery
On top of everyone else’s replies, as an ultrasound tech, on ultrasound, CT, etc, typically the appearance of a cancerous liver tumor has a different appearance than metastatic tumors on the liver. It gives an idea to look elsewhere based on the appearance. There’s different appearances for metastatic tumors on the liver giving possible clues as to where it could be coming from to search there for tumors as well.
Again though like others said, biopsies are needed to confirm everything, even that it’s cancer.
On top of everyone else’s replies, as an ultrasound tech, on ultrasound, CT, etc, typically the appearance of a cancerous liver tumor has a different appearance than metastatic tumors on the liver. It gives an idea to look elsewhere based on the appearance. There’s different appearances for metastatic tumors on the liver giving possible clues as to where it could be coming from to search there for tumors as well.
Again though like others said, biopsies are needed to confirm everything, even that it’s cancer.
Adding to this – tumours often metastasise in a very predictable way due to vascularity and circulation. Eg prostate cancer very often metastasises to bones so a bone profile with increased ALP is a marker. Bone cancer doesn’t metastasise to the prostate (usually) evidence – I’m a chemical pathologist.
Adding to this – tumours often metastasise in a very predictable way due to vascularity and circulation. Eg prostate cancer very often metastasises to bones so a bone profile with increased ALP is a marker. Bone cancer doesn’t metastasise to the prostate (usually) evidence – I’m a chemical pathologist.
Tumours need certain micro environments to grow (hormones, matrix to stick to etc) and it just so happens that certain organs will provide these favourable conditions to cancer cells that have been shed (metastasised) from certain other organs.
Histopathology also helps to confirm as the cells will still have the appearance of cells from specific organs. Cells around the body look quite characteristic of their type.
Tumours need certain micro environments to grow (hormones, matrix to stick to etc) and it just so happens that certain organs will provide these favourable conditions to cancer cells that have been shed (metastasised) from certain other organs.
Histopathology also helps to confirm as the cells will still have the appearance of cells from specific organs. Cells around the body look quite characteristic of their type.
Cancer is what happens when cells grown in a manner that they are not supposed to grow. When they reach a certain point, they can break loose and spread too other parts of the body. This is called metastasizing. In your example, the doctors will find lung cells in the liver or conversely liver cells in the lungs.
Cancer is what happens when cells grown in a manner that they are not supposed to grow. When they reach a certain point, they can break loose and spread too other parts of the body. This is called metastasizing. In your example, the doctors will find lung cells in the liver or conversely liver cells in the lungs.
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