Whyte F
Br J Nurs. 1996;5(9):535-8. doi: 10.12968/bjon.1996.5.9.535.
The most malignant characteristic of any cancer cell is the cell's ability to metastasize. The movement of the malignant cell from the primary neoplasm to a distant site, and the cell's subsequent growth there, is the most dangerous characteristic of any tumour cell. Metastatic development occurs via a series of complicated events. This article explores the stepwise process of metastatic spread, known as the 'metastatic cascade', highlights the organs commonly involved in metastatic spread, and debates the seed and soil hypothesis of metastasis. The nurse is introduced to the importance of recent medical research which highlights the genetic links identified in metastatic cell formation. Tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes, which are genes known to induce or promote cancer, and their implications for prognosis, are explained. Finally, the nurse's responsibility in maintaining his/her knowledge and understanding of metastasis in order that he/she may provide appropriate care and support for the patient and family is discussed.
任何癌细胞最恶性的特征是其转移能力。恶性细胞从原发性肿瘤转移到远处部位并在那里随后生长，是任何肿瘤细胞最危险的特征。转移的发生是通过一系列复杂的事件。本文探讨了转移性扩散的逐步过程，即所谓的“转移级联”，强调了转移性扩散中常见受累的器官，并对转移的种子与土壤假说进行了辩论。向护士介绍了近期医学研究的重要性，该研究突出了在转移细胞形成中确定的基因联系。解释了已知可诱导或促进癌症的肿瘤抑制基因和癌基因及其对预后的影响。最后，讨论了护士在保持对转移的知识和理解方面的责任，以便能够为患者及其家人提供适当的护理和支持。
