Metastases

Each type of cancer has its own research, treatments and resources devoted to them. This page gives an overview of Metastases and for your convenience we have included the most recent news stories concerning Metastases. Be sure to check out our listings page for links to more information.

What is metastatic squamous neck cancer with occult primary?

Cancer is a disease in which certain cells begin to divide too quickly and without any order. Cancer can spread to tissues and organs near the place where it started (called the primary site). Cancer cells can also spread through the bloodstream and the lymph system to other parts of the body to form new tumors. Cancer that started in one place, but has spread to another part of the body is called metastatic cancer.

Squamous cells line the outside of many body organs, including the mouth, nose, skin, throat, and lungs. Cancer can begin in the squamous cells and spread (metastasize) from its original site to the lymph nodes in the neck or around the collarbone. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body. They produce and store infection-fighting cells. When the lymph nodes in the neck are found to contain squamous cell cancer, a doctor will try to find out where the cancer started (the primary tumor). If the doctor cannot find a primary tumor, the cancer is called a metastatic cancer with unseen (occult) primary.

A doctor should be seen if there is a lump or pain in the neck or a sore throat that doesn’t go away. If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and look at it under the microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. If the biopsy shows that a person has squamous cell cancer, the doctor will do many kinds of tests to see whether a primary site can be found. If the primary site cannot be found, the doctor will treat the cancer in the neck.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on how many lymph nodes contain cancer, where the cancer is found in the neck, whether or not a primary tumor is found, and the patient’s general state of health.

 

Metastases in the News...

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 Lapatinib Reduces Brain Metastases In Mouse Model Of Metastatic Breast Cancer...
Lapatinib reduces the number of large brain metastases in a mouse model of metastatic breast cancer, relative to untreated mice, researchers report.

 In print (Science News)
A new wave of therapies can exert a magnetic hold over disease — literally. The therapies employ powerful, roughly spherical magnets to help kill carefully targeted diseased cells and nothing else. What makes these magnets special is their size.

 YM BIOSCIENCES REPORTS PHASE II DATA FOR NIMOTUZUMAB IN METASTATIC COLORECTAL...
YM BioSciences Inc. , an oncology company that identifies, develops and commercializes differentiated products for patients worldwide, today announced preliminary results obtained from its open-label, Phase II study of nimotuzumab in patients with irinotecan-refractory, metastatic colorectal cancer .

 Ym Biosciences Reports Phase II Data for Nimotuzumab in Metastatic Colorectal...
Overall Survival And Disease Control Outcomes, Coupled With Low

 Diagnocure announces the formation of a new Strategic Advisory Board (CNW Gro...
DiagnoCure Inc. , a life sciences company commercializing high-value cancer diagnostic tests and delivering laboratory services, announced today that four prominent colorectal cancer key opinion leaders have agreed to serve on the Strategic Advisory Board of its wholly owned subsidiary, DiagnoCure Oncology Laboratories.

 Death records for August 3, 2008 (The Gleaner)
Appel, Lynn Marie; 52, Evansville, died July 15, extensive small bowel infarction, acute renal failure. Archie, Clay Frank; 72, Evansville, died July 13, acute myocardial infarction, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

 Research Explains How Dormant Tumor Cells Become Active in Later Years (Kansa...
Scientists using a three-dimensional cell culture system have identified a mechanism by which dormant, metastatic tumor cells can begin growing again after long periods of inactivity. The new findings indicate that the switch from dormancy to proliferative, metastatic growth may be regulated, in part, through signaling from the surrounding microenvironment, which leads to changes in the skeletal ...

 New Research Results Explain How Dormant Tumor Cells Become Active in Later Y...
Scientists using a three-dimensional cell culture system have identified a mechanism by which dormant, metastatic tumor cells can begin growing again after long periods of inactivity.

 New Clues to How Cancer Spreads (MedicineNet.com)
Title: New Clues to How Cancer Spreads Category: Health News Created: 7/31/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 7/31/2008

 New Clues to How Cancer Spreads (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)
WEDNESDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News) -- New clues about how cancer spreads from one area of the body to another have been discovered by a University of North Carolina School of Medicine researcher.