Cancer is scary. In particular, hearing regarding metastasis or fast-growing cancer can only make you more desperate. Among cancers, there are cancers that metastasize easily and progress rapidly. Experts refer to this as ‘cancer with a poor prognosis’. Find out which cancers metastasize and progress quickly, and why.
gallbladder cancer
Dangnam cancer is a representative cancer that metastasizes and progresses quickly. The reason is the unusual shape of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a kind of sac that temporarily stores bile secreted by the liver. It is located below the liver and connects to the biliary tract through a long, thin tube called the gallbladder duct.
However, the gallbladder does not have a submucosal layer. The submucosal layer is the structure between the mucous membrane and the muscle layer. Since there is no submucosal layer, cancer cells easily invade the surrounding lymphatic vessels and easily invade the liver through the gallbladder ducts. Therefore, it is better to get an accurate diagnosis if the cause of unexplained bloating and digestive disorders persists.
pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer, feared by many, also metastasizes and progresses quickly. The pancreas is an organ that secretes digestive juices and hormones. It is located so deep inside the body that it cannot be seen at a glance even with open clothes. The thickness of the pancreas itself is so thin that it is only covered with a thin film called the capsule. Therefore, when cancer occurs, it is easy to metastasize. Also, since the pancreas is close to the portal vein, which carries nutrients to the liver, it is easy to metastasize to the portal vein.
Nerve bundles and lymph glands located at the back of the pancreas also act as factors that are prone to metastasis. Cancer cells located in the pancreas are known to grow faster than other cancer cells. Therefore, early detection of pancreatic cancer is important. If you experience ambiguous abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, and sudden onset of diabetes, you should visit a medical institution and get a checkup.
ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal cancers in women. This is because ovarian cancer metastasizes and progresses rapidly. The ovaries are organs located on both sides of the uterus, which secrete female hormones and release eggs every month. It is small, 2-3 cm in size, and looks like an almond. Experts say that because the ovary is an organ that moves a lot in the abdominal cavity, it is easy for cancer cells to metastasize to the peritoneum. Also, for the same reason, cancer cells can easily migrate to the intestinal surface. For this reason, ovarian cancer is a cancer that is easy to metastasize and recur.
Ovarian cancer also has no characteristic symptoms like gallbladder or pancreatic cancer. After the cancer has progressed quite a bit, they often feel abnormal and come to the hospital. If you feel discomfort that you did not feel before, centered on the lower abdomen, and frequent urination, it is better to see a specialist.
diffuse gastric cancer
Gastric cancer is largely divided into intestinal-type (腸型) and lower- (瀰漫) types. In the intestinal type, cancer cells gather in one place and grow in a lump, whereas in diffuse type gastric cancer, the cancer cells spread all over the place like glass powder. Diffuse gastric cancer is characterized by easy metastasis and rapid progression. As the cancer grows, it compresses the surrounding nerves or the stomach itself, and is easily detected with a gastroscopy.
Diffuse gastric cancer is so small that it does not affect nerves, so there are no symptoms at all, and it is difficult to detect with a gastroscopy. For the same reason, it is easy to metastasize to surrounding blood vessels and lymph nodes. Diffuse gastric cancer occurs more frequently in young people. If you have a family history of stomach cancer or if symptoms such as indigestion, vomiting, heartburn, and abdominal distension persist, you should seek an accurate diagnosis.
triple negative breast cancer
Breast cancer is classified into three types according to its biological characteristics. Among the most common breast cancers, ▲ female hormone (estrogen, progesterone) receptor positive ▲ HER2 (human epithelial cell growth factor receptor type 2) positive ▲ triple negative breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer refers to breast cancer that lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 receptors, which are female hormones.
It is said to be the most aggressive and poor prognosis among breast cancers. One of the reasons is that it is easy to metastasize and progresses quickly. Because cancer cells themselves are characterized by rapid growth, distant metastasis is easy. Unlike other breast cancers that metastasize to the lymph nodes or bones, triple-negative breast cancer is more fatal because it metastasizes to the brain and lungs. If you feel a lump in the breast, skin changes, or nipple discharge, it is better to suspect breast cancer and get an accurate examination.
