What is the Difference Between Invasion and Metastasis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Invasion and metastasis are two distinct but related processes that occur in cancer cells, allowing them to spread and establish secondary tumors in different locations. The main differences between invasion and metastasis are:
- Mechanism: Invasion refers to the process by which tumor cells expand into nearby environments, penetrating surrounding tissues and degrading the basement membrane and extracellular matrix. Metastasis, on the other hand, is the process of tumor cells breaking away from the primary tumor, migrating to a new location, and establishing a new or secondary tumor in the new environment.
- Sequence: Invasion typically occurs before metastasis. During the process of invasion, cancer cells acquire the ability to penetrate the surrounding tissues, passing through the basement membrane. This is followed by intravasation, where cancer cells enter the lymphatic or vascular circulation, which leads to metastasis.
- Molecular Mechanisms: Different molecular mechanisms enable tumor cells to infiltrate the surrounding tissue, invade blood vessels, and leave the bloodstream at a different site. These mechanisms involve the loss of cell-cell adhesion capacity, enabling malignant tumor cells to dissociate from the primary tumor and invade neighboring tissues.
In summary, invasion is the process by which cancer cells expand into nearby environments, penetrating surrounding tissues and degrading the extracellular matrix. Metastasis, on the other hand, is the process by which tumor cells spread to distant sites and establish secondary tumors. Both processes contribute to the complexity and progression of cancer, and are significant factors in cancer-related mortality.
Comparative Table: Invasion vs Metastasis
Here is a table summarizing the differences between invasion and metastasis:
Feature | Invasion | Metastasis |
---|---|---|
Definition | Invasion refers to the ability of cancer cells to invade the surrounding tissues, penetrating neighboring tissues. | Metastasis is the spreading of cancer cells to distant tissues and organs, establishing secondary tumors there. |
Mechanism | Invasion involves direct migration and penetration of cancer cells into neighboring tissues. | Metastasis involves cancer cells circulating through the bloodstream and establishing a tumor in a new location. |
Location | Invasion occurs within the primary tumor and adjacent tissues. | Metastasis occurs in tissues and organs at different locations beyond the primary tumor. |
Mortality | Invasion signals the malignancy of cancer cells. | Metastasis causes higher mortality in cancer patients since removing the tumor from one location will not eliminate the secondary tumors. |
Process | Invasion is the first step of metastasis. | Metastasis is considered one of the hallmarks of cancer and is significantly associated with cancer mortality. |
In summary, invasion is the process by which cancer cells penetrate neighboring tissues, while metastasis involves the spreading of cancer cells to distant tissues and organs, establishing secondary tumors there. Metastasis is a more severe process, as it causes higher mortality in cancer patients.
- Cell Migration vs Invasion
- Contact Inhibition vs Metastasis
- Infiltration vs Extravasation
- Invasive vs Non Invasive Breast Cancer
- Isolated Tumor Cells vs Micrometastases
- Colonization vs Infection
- Metaplasia vs Dysplasia
- Tumour vs Cancer
- Inflammation vs Infection
- Metagenesis vs Metamorphosis
- DCIS vs Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
- Dysplasia vs Carcinoma In Situ
- Lesion vs Tumor
- Carcinoma vs Melanoma
- Immigration vs Migration
- Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells
- Infection vs Disease
- an Introduced Species vs an Invasive Species
- Endosymbiosis vs Invagination