1, cancer, why transfer?
The transfer of cancer cells may be due to an awakening of the sleeping body in the embryonic development-related transcription factor induced.
In general, the transferred cancer cells will be divided into several stages: the first stage, known as a violation of this stage in cancer epithelial cells release the connection between cancer cells, making cancer cells "freed" and be able to move to in other places. The second stage, known as infiltration within the cancer cells through the blood vessels or lymphatic endothelium into the circulatory system. The third stage, known as extravasation, at this stage which, after a trip to the baptism of the survivors of the circulatory system will be through the microvascular endothelial cells to reach the others. The final stage is the New World migration of these cancer cells, among other organizations, the formation of the transfer of robust proliferation of malignant tumor.
Although existing research revealed some genes associated with the transfer process, but most of the research is in the cancer cells injected into the circulatory system, so they lack the role of the violations and infiltration within the relevant genetic research. Whitehead Institute Massachusetts Institute of Technology led by Robert Weinberg's research group has recently published early metastasis and cancer-related research findings.
First, they use a popular microarray technology to analyze the mouse breast cancer cells will be transferred gene expression, from which they found an important transcription factor: Twist. The transcription factors in embryonic development of some of the process, the shoulders causes cells to move, and organizational restructuring of tasks. Similar cell movement, as well as in tumor tissue remodeling time of the transfer case can occur.
They found that Twist by E-cadherin E will make the regulation of cell adhesion role of the failure, as well as epithelial cells produce the epithelial - mesenchymal transition. But also blocked expression of the Twist of cancer cells will reduce the extent of their transfer, and the number of cancer cells in the circulatory system is declining. Also in the violation of human breast lobular carcinoma were also observed Twist inhibits E-cadherin E performance.
Therefore, Weinberg and others speculated that cancer cells were able to transfer, possibly because awaken slumbering body responsible for the early embryonic developmental patterns of genes in order to initiate the relevant procedures, so the ability to obtain the transfer of the terrible.
The future clinical development of drugs may be able to contain Twist expression of these genes to prevent tumor metastasis; or can take advantage of screening these genes, the future direction of early detection of cancer and to give appropriate treatment. Perhaps cancer is no longer so terrible a scourge, but will not necessarily become another chronic disease.
2, cancer, the mode of transfer
Cancer is a very "greedy", and it will go to any place it might reach, but there are three main paths:
1, lymph node metastasis
Lymph node metastasis in general the earliest, so for tumor excision, it is necessary for lymph node dissection; Radiotherapy In addition to exposure to the primary tumor lesions, but also exposure to the surrounding lymph nodes. The lymphatic system throughout the whole body, is ideal for the transfer of cancer cells and the preferred channel. Lymph node metastasis is often from near and far, such as breast cancer metastasis to the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes first, then transferred to the supraclavicular and lower lymph nodes, and even contralateral axillary lymph nodes. Direct invasion of vascular or lymphatic cancer cells into the blood vessels will arrive with the blood flow in other parts, such as lung, brain, liver and bones, which is the blood line of the transfer. Gastrointestinal cancer often transferred to the liver and lung, breast, kidney, osteosarcoma, and so often transferred to the lungs, lung cancer and easily transferred to the brain, prostate cancer metastasis to the bone easily.
2, blood metastasis
Chemotherapy is to avoid the transfer of cancer cells through blood lines, while the drug "along the" destroy cancer cells.
Third, implantation metastasis
There is also a transfer of relatively small, that is cultivation. If you fall off the surface of cancer cells from the tumor, "off" in the chest, abdomen and brain spinal cord cavity, etc., will "take root." Takes place usually in the lower part of the cavity, such as the costophrenic angle, rectal bladder fossa, skull base, etc.. Ordinary people are fond of saying that what the total carcinogenic, in fact, we can not say anything as long as the eating will not get cancer, or what will get access to cancer. Has yet to find any kind of factor is a necessary factor in causing cancer. The most important thing is to overcome cancer, early detection, early cancer, most can be cured. To this end, we must, first regular medical examinations, and second, that depends on a number of uncomfortable symptoms may be linked to cancer, do not feel the pain, and we have to see a doctor.