New research suggests that surgery does spur metastasis after all
Revisiting ancient theories in light of new research, an article in this month's Annals of Oncology ponders why oncologists remain resistant to the old idea that resecting a primary tumor may encourage metastasis. It also asks you to reconsider the nature of tumors.
The international team of authors proposes that you regard cancer not as something like a pathogen, but rather as an organ system capable of maintaining homeostasis and growth through a network of extracellular signaling pathways.
They cite recent studies showing an increase in metabolic activity among liver metastases after resection of a primary colorectal tumor. These human studies echo prior animal research.
Without espousing the theory, some oncologists are independently reaching the corresponding conclusion. For instance, surgical removal of an asymptomatic primary tumor shows little or no benefit in stage IV colorectal cancer, while it delays systemic chemotherapy for inoperable metastasis, according to a recent clinical review.
