Many cancers can often be treated successfully when detected early. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are all powerful tools to remove or destroy tumors in their original location. However, when cancer metastasizes, that is, when the original tumor at one place in the body breaks loose and begins growing elsewhere in the body, the treatment becomes infinitely more complex. This is the stage of metastatic or stage 4 cancer, which forms the true proving ground of modern medicine.

Metastatic cancer happens when cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, circulate in the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and develop new tumors in other tissues or organs. They are not a new type of cancer; they're the same cancer that originally occurred at the primary site.

So if colon cancer metastasizes to the liver, it's still colon cancer—not liver cancer. This makes a difference because it decides how physicians treat the disease. For example, metastatic breast cancer in the lungs is treated with breast cancer therapies, not with lung cancer drugs.

How Does Cancer Spread from One Organ to Another?

Metastasis is the biological process that begins when cancer cells become capable of invading nearby tissues. They can enter into the bloodstream or lymph system, catch a ride to other places, and take up residence in new sites. If they are successful, they will start developing new tumors.

Certain cancers follow predictable patterns of metastasis. Prostate cancer tends to spread to bone, and melanoma to brain and lung. Breast cancer prefers lymph nodes, bone, lung, and liver.

Scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering and other elite centers are trying to figure out why some cancers prefer some organs. Genes, the immune system, and the 'soil' of the target organ (how conducive it is to cancer) all contribute. This may one day be the key to more successful prevention and earlier treatment.

Where Does Cancer Tend to Spread?

Although cancer can technically metastasize to nearly any organ in the body, some organs are more frequently involved. The lymph nodes are usually the primary location where cancer cells gain entry, serving as an initial checkpoint for the metastatic process. The liver is a common target, especially in colon, pancreatic, and stomach cancer, because of its high vascular flow and filtering function. Lungs are a frequent location, particularly in cancers originating from the breast, colon, and kidneys. Bones are frequently involved in advanced lung, breast, and prostate cancer, producing pain and architectural disturbances. The brain, on the other hand, is a frequent location of metastasis in melanoma and lung cancer patients with resultant neurological manifestations and special treatment.

Symptoms Of Metastatic Cancer

The symptoms of metastatic cancer vary greatly depending on where the cancer has spread. For instance:

• Bone metastases typically cause deep, aching pain and possibly lead to bone fractures.
• Lung metastases may cause cough, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath.
• Liver metastases can result in belly pain, jaundice, or abnormal liver enzymes in a blood test.
• Brain metastases may trigger headaches, seizures, or neurological changes.

Is Metastatic Cancer Curable?

This is where it gets complicated. A few forms of metastatic cancer are held to be potentially curable—particularly if the spread is limited and treatment is forceful. A good example is with colorectal cancer that has a small quantity of liver metastases. In these scenarios, surgical resection with chemotherapy could lead to long-term survival.

But most cancers that spread are not curable in the classical sense. That doesn't necessarily leave the patient out of luck. Many treatments try to contain the disease, alleviate symptoms, and buy time. That's called palliative care, but it doesn't mean surrendering—it means redefining success from cure to control.

Others survive for years with stage 4 cancer, particularly with the help of today's therapies such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Outcomes are highly variable depending on the cancer type, the degree of metastasis, and the responsiveness of the cancer to treatment.

Why Chemotherapy May Have Stopped Working For Metastatic Cancer?

Chemotherapy is still a mainstay of cancer treatment, including metastatic cancer. Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cells, a characteristic of cancer. However, cancer cells can become resistant to chemo drugs over time. Such resistance could be driven by genetic mutations, alterations in the tumor microenvironment, or prolonged exposure to the same agent.

Notably, it's not that chemotherapy "stops working" across the board. Rather, it might cease to work for an individual patient's cancer. When this occurs, oncologists will usually change to another drug, use combination therapies, or investigate clinical trials with newer treatments.

As Professor Ian Davis, Director of ANZUP Cancer Trials Group, explained, “We’ve known for more than 20 years that chemotherapy has significant efficacy in metastatic prostate cancer. It hasn’t stopped working—newer agents are simply expanding our arsenal.”

What Comes Next When Cancer Progresses?

Living with cancer that is advanced is coping not only with the disease but also with the emotional, physical, and practical issues associated with it. Discussions around prognosis, life quality, and treatment options become the forefront. The following is what patients and families need to remember:

• Alternatives are still present, even if a therapy stops working, another can benefit. These include clinical trials, targeted therapies, or symptom-management interventions.
• Support, counseling, support groups, and palliative care services assist patients in coping physically and emotionally.
• Quality of life takes precedence since many individuals opt for treatments that enable them to feel more like they have a sense of normalcy, even though such treatments may not guarantee a cure.

Breakthroughs in genetic testing, liquid biopsies, and tailored medicine are providing physicians with additional tools for comprehending and tackling metastatic disease. Immunotherapies—medications that utilize the body's immune system to combat cancer—are providing long-term remission to some patients who formerly had limited choices.

At the same time, targeted treatments focus specifically on the cancer cells' distinct mutations, minimizing harm to other tissue. For a few types of cancer, such as metastatic lung cancer with particular gene mutations, such targeted medicines have greatly prolonged survival.

Although chemotherapy remains pertinent, the future of cancer treatment is certainly more individualized, targeted, and patient-focused. Although it usually can't be cured, metastatic cancer isn't necessarily a death knell. With the proper treatment team, educated decisions, and emotional support, many patients still discover meaning, happiness, and even renewed vigor as they move through the treatment journey ahead.

Halloween may bring an abundance of sweets and chocolate, but a few of these treats could carry health risks that have nothing to do with sugar. Mixing certain confectionery with prescription medication can cause unexpected side effects, especially for people being treated for depression, anxiety, or heart conditions. Kiran Jones, a Clinical Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, explained which medicines could be affected, ranging from stronger adverse reactions to reduced drug effectiveness, and what ingredients should be avoided.

Avoid Halloween Sweets If You Are on Medication

While enjoying Halloween treats in moderation is harmless for most people, those taking regular medication should be cautious. Some common ingredients in candies, especially artificial sweeteners, caffeine, liquorice, and food coloring can interfere with how medicines work. Even small amounts can alter absorption, increase side effects, or counteract the intended effect of the drug.

Depression, Anxiety and Parkinson’s Medications

Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame can interfere with neurotransmitters affected by Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). These medicines are prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease by preventing the breakdown of neurotransmitters in the brain.

When combined with aspartame, these drugs can lead to an excessive build-up of neurotransmitters, resulting in high blood pressure, headaches, nervousness, or trouble sleeping.

Jones explained, “People taking these medications should avoid or limit foods containing aspartame to prevent these potentially serious reactions.”

ADHD, Anti-Anxiety and Blood Pressure Medications

Sugar-free sweets, diet drinks, and low-calorie snacks often contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, while caffeine is commonly found in chocolate and coffee-flavoured candies. For those on ADHD medication, anti-anxiety pills, or blood pressure drugs, caffeine can significantly alter how the medicine behaves.

It can heighten the stimulant effects of drugs such as Adderall while weakening the calming impact of SSRIs. Similarly, caffeine may counteract beta-blockers used for blood pressure control by raising heart rate and blood pressure. This interaction can cause symptoms like palpitations, restlessness, poor sleep, and in severe cases, an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

Blood Pressure, Diuretics and Antiarrhythmics Medications

People taking medication for blood pressure, water retention, or irregular heart rhythms should be cautious with liquorice sweets. Liquorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound that reduces potassium levels and increases sodium retention in the body, which can lead to higher blood pressure and fluid retention.

This effect directly interferes with blood pressure and heart medications, making them less effective and potentially causing uncontrolled hypertension. Regular or excessive consumption could also worsen heart rhythm problems.

Allergy Medications

Those taking antihistamines for allergies should watch out for colourful candies like M&Ms or Skittles. Artificial food dyes in such sweets can trigger the release of histamines—the same compounds antihistamines are meant to block.

This can weaken the effectiveness of the medication and, for sensitive individuals, cause allergic responses such as itching, hives, or swelling. Even if the reaction is mild, repeated exposure can reduce the benefit of the medicine over time.

We all have habits we know are bad for us, yet we don’t stop doing them. Most smokers know that smoking is bad for their health, and even say they would like to quit, but something stops them. The National Institute of Health (NIH) explains how 70% smokers say they would like to quit, people who abuse drugs and alcohol also wish to give up their addiction but find it extremely difficult.

As such, there are many habits, people think do not harm them, but can take a toll on their body. In a recently posted video, Cardiologist Dmitry Yaranov, listed 5 habits that are slowly chipping away at your health.

‘Innocent Habits’ That Are Hurting Your Health

In the video caption, Dr Yaranov explained that these habits, often picked up by mistake, can make your body weaker and more susceptible to illnesses.

Running on Empty Fuel

Telling yourself, "I'll sleep when I'm dead," is a shortcut right to that outcome. Chronic lack of rest isn't just tiring; it’s physically damaging. Skimping on sleep constantly raises your blood pressure, makes you gain weight, and guarantees a serious burnout that you won't be able to recover from easily. Prioritize rest now.

Sitting All Day, Scrolling All Night

From your office chair to the car and the couch, sitting for too many hours is silently wrecking your health. Being constantly still tightens your back, slows down your metabolism, hurts your digestion, and weakens your heart. Your body needs regular movement to survive, not just a ten-minute walk. Get up and move more often.

Brushing Off Stress

Saying "I'm fine" while carrying the weight of the world is a dangerous habit. Eventually, your body will stop listening to your mind. Stress you try to ignore explodes into physical problems, like unexplained chest tightness, constant gut issues, severe insomnia, and sudden panic attacks. Acknowledge your stress before it breaks you.

Eating Whatever's Fast

Skipping your morning meal, grabbing drive-thru lunch, and relying on sugar for quick energy creates chaos inside you. This erratic eating causes your blood sugar to swing wildly, stressing every major organ. Your body needs consistent, nutritious fuel, not a constant roller coaster of sugar and grease. Feed your body well, not fast.

Saying Yes When You Should’ve Said No

You are always available, doing favors and taking on tasks for everyone else. But when was the last time you put your own needs first? Overcommitting drains your energy, time, and mental resources until there’s nothing left. This chronic neglect leads to resentment and exhaustion. Guard your boundaries and put yourself on the list.

How Can You Kick Harmful Habits?

Kicking any kind of habit can be difficult. The NIH explains that habits are just routines that we do without thinking. They are a normal, often helpful part of life, but they can also be things that harm your health.

While some habits are useful and do not require a lot of thinking, like brushing, showering, driving, other habits are based off-of pleasure or dopamine hit like smoking. Both types of habit use the same mechanics, but pleasure-based habits are much harder to break because of a chemical called dopamine.

The good news is that humans are not completely controlled by habit. We have other brain areas that can help us make better choices for our long-term health. There is no single solution; what works depends on the person. Dr. Volkow emphasizes that it's "not one size fits all." However, scientists recommend a few helpful techniques:

Increase Awareness and Avoid Triggers

Figure out the exact time and place where your bad habit happens. Knowing your triggers is the first major step toward taking back control. Next, make a plan to avoid those spots. If the candy machine is your weakness, take a different route. Stay away from people who tempt you.

Mentally Practice the Good Behavior

Before you face a tempting situation, close your eyes and picture yourself succeeding. Imagine choosing water over a sugary drink. Mentally rehearsing the healthy choice can prepare your brain. This practice boosts your chances of making the right decision when the real moment arrives.

Replace the Bad Habit with a New One

Don't just stop the bad habit; actively replace that routine with a new, healthy activity. Fill the void with something constructive. Many people successfully replace strong urges, even addictions, with intense exercise like running. A new ritual helps fight the old habit's pull.

As COVID and viral infections cases rise in numbers, researchers are finding out how, following the bout of cases, the risk of heart diseases has also increased in people. To explore this connection, new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals a strong link between both acute and chronic viral infections and an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.

The lead author, Dr. Kosuke Kawai, noted that while we know viruses can cause cancer, their link to non-infectious diseases like heart disease hasn't been clear. This study confirms that acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) viral infections are connected to both immediate and lasting risks for heart and brain events.

How Do Short Infections Cause Harm To Heart?

When your body fights off a virus, your immune system releases chemicals that cause inflammation (swelling) and make your blood more likely to clot. Both of these problems can linger even after the virus is gone.

This ongoing inflammation and tendency to clot can damage the heart and blood vessels, which is likely why the risk of a heart attack or stroke spikes so dramatically right after an illness.

The research details what happens to your heart risk right after you get a respiratory infection. The study combined data from many high-quality reports and found a major, temporary jump in risk:

Influenza (Flu)

In the month immediately following a confirmed flu infection, people were 4 times more likely to have a heart attack and 5 times more likely to have a stroke compared to when they weren't sick.

COVID-19

After a COVID infection, the risk was also high. People were 3 times more likely to have a heart attack and 3 times more likely to have a stroke in the first 14 weeks. Worryingly, this risk stayed higher than normal for an entire year.

What Infections Cause Long-Term Heart Risk?

This part of the study focused on people who have had certain chronic (long-lasting) viral infections, tracking their health for an average of over five years to see if their risk remained high:

HIV Infection

People with HIV had a 60% higher risk of heart attack and a 45% higher risk of stroke.

Hepatitis C

This infection was linked to a 27% higher risk of heart attack and a 23% higher risk of stroke.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Even this common virus was associated with a 12% higher risk of heart attack and an 18% higher risk of stroke.

Even though these percentage increases are smaller than the immediate post-flu/COVID jump, they are still very important because the risk lasts for years. Shingles, for example, affects about one in three people in their lifetime, meaning that this seemingly small increase in risk will lead to a large number of extra heart problems across the general population over time.

How Can We Prevent Risk Of Heart Attacks After Infections?

The study suggests a powerful way to fight these risks is by getting vaccinated. The findings strongly support the idea that increasing the number of people who get flu, COVID, and shingles shots could lower the overall rate of heart attacks and strokes in the community. As an example, previous research has shown that getting a flu shot can be linked to a 34% lower risk of major heart problems.

The American Heart Association recommends that everyone, especially those with existing heart conditions or heart risk factors, talk to their doctor about getting the right vaccines. Vaccination is a simple step that offers crucial protection to people whose hearts are already vulnerable.

It’s important to remember that this study was based on looking at people's health records (observational studies), not on controlled experiments. The main focus was on single viruses. Researchers noted that we still need more studies to fully understand how some other viruses, like dengue and HPV, might be linked to heart disease.