Just thought I would mention an article which describes findings of research carried out at Harvard University, into what turns a slow growing cancer into a fast growing one. They have discovered that the presence of a solitary aggressive met, can convert slow growing mets to fast growing. Apparently aggressive mets secrete three chemicals which stimulate slow growing mets to become fast growing (see link below).
Medics always say systemic treatment is the only appropriate treatment for metastatic cancer, but this suggests it could be important to get rid of the aggressive met pronto. Does this mean localised treatment is appropriate in these circumstances?
Just wanted to add in connection with whether localised treatment is appropriate in some cases. I have an article relating to a study to discover if surgical resection of pulmonary mets is better than chemo (in terms of prolonging survival) . The 5 year survival rate for those who had surgery alone was 26% and 11% for those who had chemo alone. Interesting…
Worrying. Wouldn’t it be difficult to identify?
Anne, that’s an interesting question and I don’t know how they would locate the aggressive tumour is the short answer.
Putting my thinking cap on I would hazard a guess that the presence of three chemicals that are secreted by the aggressive tumour, in the blood of someone with secondary cancer would flag up that the person had an aggressive tumour somewhere, and they would then do CT scans to try and identify where (apparently the shape of an aggressive met is different to an indolent met).
I’m tempted to send the Prof who did the research at Harvard an Email to ask how aggressive could be distinguished from non aggressive.
Lemongrove, this is interesting . My sisters oncologist said her grade three cancer appeared ‘quite slow growing’ when 1st diagnosed with secondaries. However this certainly doesn’t seem to be the case now , chemo seems to work for a while and then the sodding cancer seems to have a growth party. I wish they would use targeted therapies more often. Having a battle right now to get next treatment started! . Wish they could cyber knife the hole bloody lot , piece by piece !!! Best wishes and keep up the good research xxx