Cancer metastasis means that cancer cells have spread from the primary site where the tumor first grew (e.g. colon or breast) to another site in the body. Tumors usually spread via the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, or both. Although the presence of metastatic disease does represent a more advanced stage of cancer, there are treatment options that may be appropriate for your type and stage of cancer. The New York University Cancer Institute Program for the Treatment of Metastatic Disease approaches each patient in a multidisciplinary and individualized fashion.

A team of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists evaluates each patient with metastatic disease to determine the appropriate course of treatment. Some patients may benefit from one or more cancer treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and radiation therapy. The NYU Cancer Institute participates in numerous cooperative group trials and also sponsors our own clinical trials for patients with metastatic disease.

Although the surgical treatment for metastatic cancer must be highly individualized, some of the surgical modalities we utilize at NYU include: tumor resection (removal), tumor ablation (such as Radiofrequency Ablation), regional deliverance of chemotherapy (including peritoneal chemotherapy), and isolated limb perfusion.