Why Choose Us for Metastatic Cancer Care
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, we are committed to delivering world-class metastatic cancer care supported by cutting-edge research, deep clinical expertise, and a truly integrated care model.
As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, we bring together oncologists, surgeons, geneticists, and support teams to create personalized treatment plans that reflect the latest advances in cancer science and are tailored to each patient’s unique disease.
“There aren’t enough accolades for the doctors and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute. They’ve become my second family.”
J.R. Smith
Metastatic Cancer Patient
Metastatic Cancer Research
Because research and care live side by side here, patients with metastatic cancer often have access to therapies and clinical trials that may not be available elsewhere, including novel targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and precision-medicine approaches informed by decades of genetic and population-level research.
Clinical Trials
Supportive Care
We understand that cancer doesn’t occur in isolation. It affects every aspect of life. That’s why we offer comprehensive support beyond treatment: from care coordination and genetic counseling to survivorship services, supportive care, and access to a broad network of specialists. Our goal is to deliver high-quality care with compassion, dignity, and hope, giving patients and families the strongest possible foundation when facing metastatic cancer.
Metastatic Cancer Frequently Asked Questions
Metastasis is the word used when cancer spreads to a part of the body other than where it started. The cancer cells that spread are the same type of cells as where the cancer began, also called the primary tumor. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bone, the cancer cells in the bone are actually breast cancer cells. The disease is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer.
Need help navigating your care? The Cancer Learning Center is here to support you with personalized guidance, resources, and answers to your questions.
When doctors first find cancer, they often give the cancer a stage from zero to four.
- Stage 0: Abnormal cells are present but have not spread to nearby tissue. Also called carcinoma in situ, or CIS. CIS is not cancer, but it may become cancer.
- Stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3: Cancer is present. The higher the number, the larger the cancer tumor and the more it has spread into nearby tissues.
- Stage 4: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Metastatic cancer falls under stage 4 cancer. This means the cancer is at an advanced stage.
Learn how different cancers develop, spread, and are treated.
Signs and symptoms of cancer metastasis depend on where the cancer has spread. Some people with cancer may not have symptoms at all.
These could be signs of metastatic cancer:
- Pain and fractures when cancer has spread to the bone
- Headache, seizures, or dizziness when cancer has spread to the brain
- Difficulty breathing when cancer has spread to the lung
- Jaundice or swelling in the belly when cancer has spread to the liver
The goal for metastatic cancer is often to slow down or stop the spread. Some people can live for years with metastatic cancer.
Treatment options depend on many factors. These include the type of primary cancer, where the cancer has spread, and any previous treatments or surgeries.
When cancer has metastasized, it is important to talk with your doctor about all treatment options. Our supportive oncology and survivorship program can help patients who have pain and other symptoms of cancer that has spread.
Doctors use different medical tests to help check for metastasis:
- Laboratory tests include checking body tissues, blood, urine, or other substances in the body. This helps your care team know how your organs are working. They can also look for substances that cells produce when cancer is present.
- Imaging tests use dyes, X-rays, magnets, radio waves, and computer technology to look inside the body. These tests create detailed images of bone and internal organs and structures to check for cancer.
Bones, lungs, and the liver are the most common places for cancer cells to spread. When cancer starts in one area of the body, it will often travel to a nearby lymph node before spreading to a different organ. Cancer can spread to one organ or several.
When a person is diagnosed with cancer, concerns about treatments and side effects, hospital stays, and medical bills are common. Huntsman Cancer Institute offers many ways to support patients, caregivers, and loved ones.
Many different factors influence cancer spreading. Cancers diagnosed at a later stages are more likely to spread than cancers diagnosed in early stages. Certain types of cancer can also influence the risk of cancer spreading.
If you are concerned about your cancer metastasizing, talk with your care team. They can discuss signs and symptoms to watch for, screening options, and sometimes treatments to help lower the change of cancer spreading.
Understand your risk. Schedule a genetic counseling session today.
