Metastasis
Cell Types Basement membrane (basal lamina)- lines cavities of organs, separates them from stroma Stroma- supporting connective cells
Metastasis Cancer cells break through basement membrane Invade surrounding tissue (includes blood stream) spread to other locations
Metastasis Cells from primary tumor can break off and form microscopic tumor masses remain dormant
Angiogenesis! No angiogenesis occurred! microscopic tumors did not have blood vessels no nutrients available growth inhibited! Primary tumor secretes angiostatin
Something to think about… Patients with good prognosis develop metastases several years after the treatment of their primary tumor How do we best manage patients?