Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from its original location to a distant part of the body. Most metastatic cancers are not curable, but people with well-controlled metastatic cancer can live for many years.
Metastatic cancers are serious and difficult to treat. While most are incurable, they can be managed for months or even years with the right treatment. And certain kinds of metastatic cancer, such as testicular cancer, can be curable.
This article takes a closer look at metastatic cancers, where they’re likely to spread, and why the outlook for people with metastatic cancers can vary so much.
The first cancerous tumor that develops is the primary tumor. Eventually, this tumor can grow big enough to push into nearby tissue and organs. Cells can also break away from the tumor and spread through tissue to form new tumors in nearby tissues, organs, or lymph nodes.
Cancer cells can also enter your bloodstream or lymphatic system. From there, they can travel just about anywhere in your body. When tumors form in a distant part of your body, you have metastatic cancer.
Therefore, metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from the original tumor to a distant part of the body in any of these ways. However, it is also
Cancer can spread almost anywhere, but different types of cancer tend to spread to certain places. The following chart shows the most common sites of metastasis for each type, according to the
| Metastatic cancer type | Common distant sites of metastasis |
|---|---|
| bladder | bone, liver, lung |
| breast | bone, brain, liver, lung |
| colon | liver, lung, peritoneum (the membrane that lines your abdominal cavity) |
| kidney | adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, lung |
| lung | adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, the other lung |
| melanoma | bone, brain, liver, lung, skin, muscle |
| ovarian | liver, lung, peritoneum |
| pancreatic | liver, lung, peritoneum |
| prostate | adrenal gland, bone, liver, lung |
| rectal | liver, lung, peritoneum |
| stomach | liver, lung, peritoneum |
| thyroid | bone, liver, lung |
| uterine | bone, liver, lung, peritoneum, vagina |
As of 2018, just over
However, any cancer can metastasize, and metastasis can be a
What is the life expectancy of metastatic cancer?
The outlook depends on many things, including the specific type of cancer. For example, research from 2017 looked at survival after bone metastasis by primary cancer type.
Follow-ups at 1 and 5 years suggest that people with bone metastasis from breast cancer have a better outlook than people with bone metastasis from lung cancer.
Other factors that can influence survival rates are:
- site or sites of metastasis
- your body’s response to specific treatments
- your age and general health
Survival rates vary for different types of cancer. The following are the 5-year relative survival rates for several types of cancer that were metastatic at diagnosis:
| Metastatic cancer type | 5-year relative survival rate |
|---|---|
| prostate | |
| breast | |
| colorectal | |
| lung and bronchus | |
| pancreatic |
Keep in mind that these are general statistics, and your doctor will be able to offer a more personal outlook.
What stage is metastatic cancer, and is it terminal?
Certain types of cancer are considered stage 4 cancer, which can often lead to death.
A 2024 study examined the causes of death for people living with metastatic cancer, examining 13 types of cancer and 25 non-cancer factors. Looking at the chance of death from specific cancer compared to other causes in more than a million Americans between 1992 and 2019, researchers found that
That said, whether or not metastatic cancer is life threatening depends on the type of cancer, and cancer
Conversely, metastatic cancers aren’t necessarily advanced. For example, testicular cancer can spread but still be very curable. In certain cases of incurable cancer, people with well-controlled metastasis can live for many years.
Fatigue and weight loss are among the
- Bone: pain, easily fractured bones
- Brain: headache, dizziness, vision problems, seizures
- Lung: shortness of breath, cough, chest pain
- Liver: jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), bloating, abdominal pain
The number and size of tumors can also affect the symptoms.
Diagnosing metastatic cancer may involve imaging tests such as:
A biopsy of a tumor can help identify the type of cancer.
Cancer is harder to treat once it spreads beyond the original site. Because every type of metastatic cancer is different, treatment options vary.
The main treatments are based on the specific type of cancer, which refers to where the cancer started, not where it has spread to. For example, colon cancer that spreads to the liver is treated as colon cancer, not liver cancer.
Other factors that affect treatment options are:
- site or sites of metastasis
- previous cancer treatments, if any
- age and overall health
Treatment
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
targeted therapies - immunotherapy
hormonal therapy - palliative care
In some cases, the goal of treatment may be to cure the cancer or slow it down. In others, you may want to focus on symptom relief and quality of life. You can always receive palliative care along with other treatments.
Doctors will help determine the best treatment plan based on the specifics of your situation and your preferences.
How do I cope with metastatic cancer?
Living with metastatic cancer is unique to each individual and can be challenging. It
Can chemo stop metastatic cancer?
Chemotherapy
How does metastatic cancer cause death?
The spread of cancer cells can disrupt the operation of vital organs. Depending on the cancer and where it spreads, this can affect your digestion, respiration, skeletal structure, liver function, blood vessels, and more. Ultimately, it can result in the failure of crucial bodily functions, which can lead to death.
What is the difference between metastases and metastasis?
Metastasis can be used generally as part of “cancer metastasis’ to refer to cancer that has spread. Specifically, however, metastases are the plural form of metastasis.
Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from its primary site to a distant part of the body. For many types of cancer, “metastatic” refers to stage 4 cancer. Metastatic cancer is often treatable, though it’s challenging.
Most metastatic cancers are not curable, but it’s possible to live for many years with metastatic cancer if the disease is well managed.
Survival rates are general statistics based on people who received a diagnosis at least 5 years ago. Because there are so many variables, your outlook may be quite different. That’s why it’s best to discuss your outlook with your doctor.