# What is cancer metastasis? Cancer metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the original site (the primary tumor) to other parts of the body. This can happen when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, which are networks of vessels that carry fluids and cells throughout the body. The cancer cells can then travel to other organs or tissues, where they can grow and form new tumours.  # Why is metastasis important in cancer treatment? Metastasis is a major concern in cancer because it makes the disease more difficult to treat. When cancer cells metastasize, they can be harder to remove with [surgery](../3.%20Treatments/3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Surgery.md) or other treatments, and they may be resistant to [chemotherapy](../3.%20Treatments/3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Chemotherapy.md) or [radiation therapy](../3.%20Treatments/3.6%20%20Standard%20care/Radiation%20therapy.md). That means cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is generally more aggressive and can be more serious than cancer that is confined to the primary site. Not all cancers are able to metastasize. Some types of cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are less likely to spread to other parts of the body. Other types, such as melanoma and certain types of lung, breast, and colon cancer, are more likely to metastasize. The general goal with the process of metastasis is to identify if your cancer has certain characteristics or metabolic pathways that is uses to spread. If you can inhibit the process with supplements and other integrative treatments, it may slow down or even prevent the spread and make a huge difference on your outcomes. # Supplements that prevent or slow cancer metastasis: [6-Gingerol (ginger)](../3.%20Treatments/3.3%20%20Supplements/6-Gingerol%20(ginger).md) [Luteolin](../3.%20Treatments/3.3%20%20Supplements/Luteolin.md) [Melatonin](../3.%20Treatments/3.3%20%20Supplements/Melatonin.md) [Vitamin D3](../3.%20Treatments/3.3%20%20Supplements/Vitamin%20D3.md) # Off-label drugs that help prevent metastasis: [Propranolol](../3.%20Treatments/3.5%20%20Off-label%20drugs/Propranolol.md) # Markers and pathways connected to the metastasis process: [VEGF](VEGF.md) ## Diagrams <p><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metastasis_illustration.jpg#/media/File:Metastasis_illustration.jpg"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Metastasis_illustration.jpg/1200px-Metastasis_illustration.jpg" alt="Metastasis illustration.jpg"></a><br>By Jane Hurd (Illustrator) - This image was released by the National Cancer Institute - Public Domain, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24060422">Link</a></p> <p><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metastasis_sites_for_common_cancers.svg#/media/File:Metastasis_sites_for_common_cancers.svg"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Metastasis_sites_for_common_cancers.svg" alt="Metastasis sites for common cancers.svg" height="1090" width="680"></a><br>By Mikael Häggström CC0 <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15275048">Link</a></p>