Cancer Animations

So what is cancer? How does it spread?

Metastatic cancer is a cancer that has spread from its primary site (the part of the body in which it developed) to other parts of the body (see animation). If cells break away from a cancerous tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body. There, they may settle and form "colony" tumors. In their new location, the cancer cells continue growing. The spread of a tumor to a new part of the body is called metastasis.

Metastasis involves the spread of cancer cells through the bloodstream or the lymph system. The lymph system consists of lymph vessels (similar to veins except that they contain tissue waste products and immune system cells instead of blood). These lymph vessels lead to lymph nodes, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are important in fighting infections.

Cancer cells that break off from tumors and enter the lymph vessels can be carried to lymph nodes where they may continue to grow and form metastases. Doctors sometimes call metastasis to lymph nodes near the place a cancer developed "regional spread." This is to distinguish it from "distant spread" or distant metastasis. Distant spread generally occurs when cancer cells break off from tumors and enter the bloodstream, travel to other organs, and continue to grow into new tumors.

When cancer spreads, it is still named after the part of the body where it started. For example, if prostate cancer spreads to the brain, it is still called prostate cancer, and if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still breast cancer. Breast cancer is a completely different disease than lung cancer, even though both diseases are cancer.

Visit: Living With Brain Mets for more information on Brain Mets & Various Cancers, Treatment Options, Patient Questions & Web Resources.




I found these terrific videos from an Australian site my friend works on. Have a look:

Breast Cancer

Bladder Cancer

Colon Cancer

Liver Cancer

Skin Cancer

Prostate Cancer


There are a lot of other videos in there, and yes, a video of the TomoTherapy HiARC, but as we all know, the Elekta VMAT is much superior in treating cancer. You can view the VMAT site here -Elekta VMAT
Elekta volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a new intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment technique that combines the market’s only fully digital linear accelerator, 3D volumetric imaging, and advanced treatment planning expertise. This powerful trio delivers a treatment that improves the sparing of critical structures and healthy tissue—in dramatically shorter treatment times—all without comprising target coverage and patient safety.


Conformance. One or multiple arcs for precise dose control resulting in better avoidance of critical structures.


Speed. Dramatically shorter treatment times than current IMRT techniques.


Ultra-low Dose. Allows daily 3D volumetric imaging and fewer MUs.