Cancer refers to a set of diseases that arise due to the uncontrolled multiplication of an abnormal cell. Normally, a cell divides in response to the chemical signals it receives from hormones and other messenger molecules of the body. In addition, the number of times a cell can divide is controlled through several intricate mechanisms that induce cell death after a certain number of cycles. In certain cases, a normal body cell undergoes an alteration, mostly genetic mutation or DNA damage, such that it either becomes independent of these growth signals or grows resistant to the cell death. The balance between cell multiplication and cell death gets disrupted. As a result, the cell continues to divide, even in the absence of signals for cell division. This cancerous cell multiplies and gives rise to several more, and the cycle continues, leading to manifestation of symptoms and progression of the disease. A cancer cell arises due to disruption in the balance between cell division and cell death. The number of such cancerous cells gradually increases, giving rise to a mass of cells called a malignant tumor. This tumor is called primary tumor or primary cancer at stage 0. Note: The word 'tumor' is often used interchangeably with cancer. However, tumors are defined as any abnormal growth or clump of cells, and are categorized into benign or malignant. By definition, the term 'cancer' includes only malignant tumors. In this article, the word 'tumor' refers to malignant tumor, unless otherwise specified. The growth rate of this malignant tumor depends on the rate at which cells divide. This enlarging tumor then distorts the structural integrity of the respective tissue. In addition to this, the cells undergo several other mutations, as a result of which, they gain properties like resistance to drugs as well as synthesis and secretion of regulatory molecules. Some of the regulatory molecules secreted by cancer cells activate angiogenesis, the process of formation of new blood vessels from the existing ones. From the diagnostic point of view, the cancer is now classified as stage I or II depending on the extent of tumor growth. This enables the tumor to gain access to vital nutrients required for its growth and cellular processes, as well as helps to get rid of the metabolic wastes. A small mass of cancerous cells thus transforms into huge clumps, and eventually some cells escape from this mass, spreading to nearby tissues and later on to distant organs. The growing tumor invades the surrounding tissues as well as enters the surrounding blood vessels and lymphatic nodes. When the growing cancer has invaded and damaged the nearby tissue, it is classified as stage III cancer. Once inside the blood vessels and lymph nodes, cancerous cells migrate to distant organs and form new tumors. This process is called metastasis. Angiogenesis, followed by metastasis, is the basic route for the spread of cancer from one body part to another. The first step in metastasis is the entry of cancer cells into the blood vessel by a process called intravasation. Here, a cancerous cell attaches to the cells lining the blood vessels and pushes itself into the lumen of the blood vessel. It then circulates through the blood vessel along with other blood cells, and reaches the narrow capillaries present in the peripheral tissues. Movement of the cancerous cell gets arrested in the capillaries, and it exits from the circulatory system by extravasation. It squeezes through two adjoining cells lining the capillary, and lodges itself in the tissue around the capillary. In this distant tissue, the cell may lie dormant or divide, and give rise to a new tumor called micrometastases. These tumors grow and initiate angiogenesis, and the cycle continues. These are termed as secondary tumors or secondary cancers. This stage where the cancer has spread to tissues away from the primary site, is termed Stage IV. Successful metastasis to a distant site not only depends on the precise features of the cancer cell but also on the surrounding non-cancerous cells, molecular environment around the tissue, activity of the immune cells present around the tumor and in the blood vessels. Although the sites to which cancer spreads depends on the primary tissue/organ of origin, bone, liver, and lungs are the most common ones. Given below is a list of the major cancers and the respective sites of metastasis.

Cancer Type	Main Sites of Metastasis
Bladder	Bone, liver, lung
Breast	Bone, brain, liver, lung
Colorectal	Liver, lung, peritoneum
Kidney	Adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, lung
Lung	Adrenal gland, bone, brain, liver, other lung tissues
Melanoma	Bone, brain, liver, lung, skin/muscle
Ovary	Liver, lung, peritoneum
Pancreas	Liver, lung, peritoneum
Prostate	Adrenal gland, bone, liver, lung
Stomach	Liver, lung, peritoneum
Thyroid	Bone, liver, lung
Uterus	Bone, liver, lung, peritoneum, vagina

Cancerous growths in the body comprise cancer cells as well as non-cancerous cells, and it is the interaction between these two entities that determines the rate of growth and spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.