Editing Cancer (section)

=== Metastasis ===
{{Main|Metastasis}}
[[Metastasis]] is the spread of cancer to other locations in the body. The dispersed tumors are called metastatic tumors, while the original is called the primary tumor. Almost all cancers can metastasize.<ref name=metastasis/> Most cancer deaths are due to cancer that has metastasized.<ref name="What is Metastasized Cancer">{{cite web |title=What is Metastasized Cancer? |url=http://www.nccn.com/component/content/article/54-cancer-basics/925-what-is-metastasized-cancer.html |website=National Comprehensive Cancer Network |access-date=18 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707200430/http://www.nccn.com/component/content/article/54-cancer-basics/925-what-is-metastasized-cancer.html |archive-date=7 July 2013}}</ref>

Metastasis is common in the late stages of cancer and it can occur via the blood or the [[lymphatic system]] or both. The typical steps in metastasis are:

# Local [[Invasion (cancer)|invasion]]
# [[Intravasation]] into the blood or lymph.
# Circulation through the body.
# [[Extravasation]] into the new tissue.
# Proliferation
# [[Angiogenesis]]

Different types of cancers tend to metastasize to particular organs. Overall, the most common places for metastases to occur are the [[lung]]s, [[liver]], brain, and the [[bone]]s.<ref name="metastasis">{{cite web |url=https://www.cancer.gov/types/metastatic-cancer |title=Metastatic Cancer: Questions and Answers |access-date=28 March 2018|publisher=National Cancer Institute |date=12 May 2015}}</ref>

While some cancers can be cured if detected early, metastatic cancer is more difficult to treat and control. Nevertheless, some recent treatments are demonstrating encouraging results.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why is cancer so hard to cure? |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/why-is-cancer-so-hard-to-cure-20230626-p5djiw.html |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=The Age|date=15 July 2023 }}</ref>