Content Sources:
1. Li Qiang, Zhang Wei, Zhao Ling. Research progress on the molecular mechanism of liver metastasis in gastric cancer[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2019, 46(8): 405-408.
2. Wang Chenguang, Liu Yong, Liu Gang. Research progress on predictors and mechanisms of liver metastasis in gastric cancer[J]. Chinese Journal of Basic and Clinical Surgery, 2020, 27(11): 1303-1308.
3. Zou Zhongzhong, Jiang Hualiang, Gao Xudong. Molecular mechanism of gastric cancer metastasis and its clinical significance[J]. Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2021, 24(4): 341-347.
Wan'er, a 23-year-old girl from Gansu Province, lives in a happy and loving environment, and her parents' meticulous care for her makes her feel the warmth of her body. However, even such a child who grew up in love cannot escape the nightmare of illness.
One spring in 2021, Wan'er began to feel unwell frequently. At first, she didn't pay much attention to it, thinking that it was just an ordinary physical problem, after all, young people always have some physical overdraft. However, over time, these symptoms have not improved, but have become more severe. Inability to eat, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss...... These obvious anomalies made Wan'er have to pay attention to them.
She began to try to go to the hospital for some basic tests, but the initial test results did not show any serious problems, which made Wan'er breathe a sigh of relief for a while, but the uneasiness in her heart always followed.
The time has come to the summer of 2021, and Wan'er's physical condition is getting worse day by day. Finally, she decided to go to a large hospital in the provincial capital for a comprehensive and in-depth examination.
After a series of complicated and detailed examinations, the doctor told her with a heavy heart that she had stomach cancer, and that her condition had reached an advanced stage, and what was more frightening was that the cancer cells had metastasized to the liver.
Gastric cancer is a serious tumor of the digestive system with a complex mechanism involving multiple steps and multiple factors. When stomach cancer cells acquire aggressive characteristics, they can cross the stomach wall and enter surrounding tissues, including the blood vessels and lymphatic system.
Once cancer cells enter the blood circulation or lymphatic system, they have a chance of traveling long distances to other parts of the body, including the liver, a process known as metastasis. The specific mechanism of liver metastasis in gastric cancer involves multiple biological processes and molecular pathways.
First, stomach cancer cells need to gain the ability to invade and metastasize. This process typically involves changes in the expression of cell adhesion molecules that allow cancer cells to detach from the original tumor and invade surrounding tissues. Gastric cancer cells may also facilitate invasion by producing enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which allow cancer cells to cross tissue barriers and blood vessel walls.
Second, after cancer cells enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system, they need to survive in the circulatory system. Gastric cancer cells are able to survive through various mechanisms, such as the formation of microthrombosis through interaction with platelets, a process that protects them from attack by immune cells.
Next, in order to form metastases in the liver, circulating gastric cancer cells must successfully colonize the liver's microenvironment. The liver is a blood-rich organ that is highly susceptible to housing cancer cells from other sites.
Once in the liver, cancer cells need to adapt to the liver's specific microenvironment, including interactions with hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and immune cells. They induce changes in the local microenvironment by secreting various growth factors and cytokines, which contribute to the attachment, survival, and proliferation of cancer cells.
Finally, the proliferation of gastric cancer cells in the liver and the formation of new blood vessels are key to their formation of significant liver metastases. Cancer cells promote the formation of new blood vessels by secreting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other angiogenesis factors, which provide cancer cells with the nutrients and oxygen they need to support their growth and spread in the liver.
This sudden news was like a thunderbolt from the blue, and it shattered all of Wan'er's dreams and plans. At only 23 years old, her life should be exciting, but she has to face such a cruel reality.
For a while, Wan'er's world was gloomy. The hospital bed became the center of her new life, chemotherapy, surgery, and medicine...... It's all life she never imagined before. Every treatment left her physically and mentally exhausted, but she didn't give up because she knew that only by fighting could there be hope.
But every time I stand in front of the mirror, no matter how strong I am, I can't help but cry. Compared with her bright photos in the past, Wan'er is even more aggrieved for no reason, 23 years old is the same age as a flower, how can she become like this.
Looking at her lost hair and looking at her haggard face, Wan'er had the idea of giving up for the first time. "Mom, it hurts." This is also the first time that Wan'er has taken off her strong disguise in front of her parents.
Collapse to collapse, Wan'er still did not stop the pace of treatment. Fortunately, 2 years have passed, and the lesions in Wan'er's body have miraculously metastasized, and all of this has to be said about the three things she insisted on.
1. Eat a balanced diet
A balanced diet is the cornerstone of a cancer-fighting lifestyle. Specifically, this means eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein sources, and healthy fats. Such a diet helps the body get enough fiber, vitamins and minerals, which are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing the development of cancer.
Studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is associated with a lower incidence of cancer. Dietary fiber, in particular, not only helps maintain gut health, but also helps reduce the risk of bowel cancer. In addition, avoiding over-processed and high-calorie foods can reduce the risk of many types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, etc.
2. Maintain a moderate amount of exercise
Moderate exercise can not only enhance physical fitness and improve mood, but also effectively reduce the risk of many cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Exercise can help reduce weight loss and reduce the risk of obesity, which has been shown to be an important risk factor for many types of cancer.
Exercise exerts its anti-cancer effects through a variety of mechanisms. For example, by improving metabolic health, reducing chronic inflammation levels in the body, and regulating hormone levels, it has all been linked to a reduced risk of cancer. In addition, exercise strengthens the immune system and improves the body's ability to fight off cancer cells.
3. Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol intake
Tobacco use is the leading risk factor for cancer, and both smoking and secondhand smoke are closely linked to the occurrence of a variety of cancers, including lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, etc. Therefore, avoiding the use of tobacco products altogether is an important step in cancer prevention.
Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for cancer. Alcohol consumption has been linked to a variety of cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and liver. Limiting alcohol intake is essential to reduce the risk of these cancers.
In today's environment, lifestyle habits are increasingly important in the fight against cancer. The risk of cancer can be greatly reduced by eating a balanced diet, maintaining a moderate amount of exercise, and avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol intake. Importantly, these good habits also improve our overall health and quality of life. Therefore, establishing and maintaining these healthy lifestyles should be part of everyone's daily life.