{{mode==='cancer'?example.name:selected.name}}{{mode==='cancer'?'Possible spread · illustrative':'Tap a structure to explore'}}
Primary siteExample destination
Schematic positions and proportions; bone groups are not individual bone counts. Deep structures are shown through overlying organs. Anatomical variation is normal.
Most cell types in these tissues contain DNA in a nucleus and in mitochondria. Mature red blood cells normally lose both. Platelets are cell fragments that retain mitochondrial DNA.
The body contains tens of trillions of human cells, alongside microbial communities with their own cells and DNA.
Example destinations: {{destinations.map(o=>o.system==='skeletal'?'Bone':o.name).join(', ')}}. Bone markers indicate an example location, not a preferred bone.
Die: many cells fail to survive the journey.
Remain dormant: alive with division paused.
Grow: under suitable conditions, form a metastatic tumor.
{{example.name}} that reaches another organ remains {{example.name.toLowerCase()}}. It does not become that organ’s primary cancer.
Go deeper
NCI — Metastatic cancer ↗ Illustrative examples, not patient-specific risk or a simulation. NET and DNase mechanisms are explained separately in the research posters.
Cells, immunity & cancer
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