This is a brief description of where certain cancers are most likely to spread. It’s not a list of every place where a cancer could spread. For more details on these cancers, see our information on the specific cancer site.
Bladder
Bladder cancer tends to stay in the same area (the pelvis) and grow into nearby tissues such as the pelvic wall. It can also spread to the lungs, liver, and bone.
Brain
Brain tumors rarely spread outside the brain. They mainly grow within the brain and sometimes into the spinal cord.
Breast
Breast cancer most commonly spreads to the bones, but also can spread to the liver, lungs, and brain. As the cancer progresses, it may affect any organ. It can also spread to the skin of the chest (near where the cancer started).
Cervix
Cancer of the cervix tends to grow near where it started, into the vagina and uterus and then other parts of the pelvis, such as the rectum and bladder. It can also grow into the bones and nerves of the spine, and spread to the liver, lungs, and bones.
Colon and rectum
The most common sites for colon or rectal cancer spread are the liver and lungs. These cancers may also spread to nearly any other organ, including the bones and brain.
Rectal cancer can also spread within in the pelvis, where the cancer started. This can be painful because it often grows into nerves and bones in this area.
Esophagus
Esophageal cancer mostly grows near where it started (in the chest and belly). As it progresses, it may grow into nearby organs or major blood vessels, which can make it hard to treat.
Kidney
Kidney (renal) cancer can grow where it started and invade nearby tissues. It can grow from the kidney into the large vein that drains the blood from the kidney (the renal vein). From there it can grow into a large vein that empties into the heart (the inferior vena cava). It can also grow from the kidney into the adrenal gland, which sits on top of the kidney. When it spreads, the lungs and bones are the most common sites.
Leukemia
Because they are already in the blood, leukemias can be considered to have spread throughout the body when they are diagnosed. They can progress by filling the bone marrow with leukemia cells. The normal bone marrow is replaced and cannot make new blood cells.
Some leukemias may spread outside the blood and into the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Tumors made up of leukemia cells can also occur in the skin or in other parts of the body, but this is not common. In some types of leukemia, the cancer cells collect in the spleen, causing it to become large. Less often, leukemia cells settle in the liver, causing it to enlarge. In one type of leukemia, the cells deposit in the gums, so that they become red and swollen.
Liver
Liver cancer doesn't often spread outside the liver. It tends to grow throughout the liver as it becomes advanced. If it does spread, it’s most often to the lungs or bones.
Lung
Lung cancer can spread to almost any organ of the body, but most often it will spread to the adrenal glands, liver, bones, or brain. It can also spread to the other lung.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma can affect any part of the body. While most start in the lymph nodes, spleen, and/or bone marrow, some start in lymph tissue in the stomach, intestines, or even the eye socket. Lymphomas can spread within the lymph system to distant parts of the body. Less often, they spread outside the lymph system to other organs, such as the lungs, liver, or bone. Lymphomas can affect the brain and spinal cord, either initially (called primary central nervous system lymphoma) or as spread to the fluid and tissues (the meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This is called lymphomatous meningitis.
Melanoma
Melanoma can spread anywhere in the body. It first tends to go to lymph nodes near where it started, but then can spread to the brain, lungs, liver, and bones. It can also spread to other areas of skin.
Mouth and throat
Cancers of the mouth, throat, or nasal passages tend to stay in the same area. When they spread, it’s usually to the lungs. Less often they may spread to the liver or bones.
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma can cause tumors called plasmacytomas. These tumors can spread to the bones anywhere in the body, but they rarely spread to other organs.
Ovary
Ovarian cancer most often spreads to the lining of the abdomen (belly) and pelvis (this lining is called the peritoneum), the omentum (a layer of connective tissue that drapes the abdominal cavity like an apron), and organs in the pelvis and belly. It can cause a build-up of fluid and swelling in the abdomen. It can also spread to the outer lining of the lungs and cause fluid to build up there. As it becomes more advanced, it may spread to the lung and liver, or, rarely, to the brain or skin.
Pancreas
Pancreatic cancer mainly stays in the abdomen (belly). It tends to grow into nearby tissues and may spread to the liver or other nearby organs. It can also spread to the lungs.
Prostate
Advanced prostate cancer most often goes to the bones. Much less often, it will spread to other organs, including the lungs and liver.
Stomach
Stomach (gastric) cancer tends to spread to nearby tissues and stay within the abdomen (belly). It may also spread to the liver or distant lymph nodes. Spread to the lungs, bones, and brain is less common.
Uterus
Cancer that starts in the uterus can grow into the vagina as well as nearby tissues in the pelvis. It also commonly spreads to the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity and pelvis) and the omentum (a layer of connective tissue that drapes the abdominal cavity like an apron). Other sites of cancer spread include the liver, lungs, and, less often, bones.
Source:www.cancer.org
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