Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

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Which organ is one of the most common sites for metastatic spread of cancer?

Kidneys
Liver
Lungs
Brain

The correct answer is: Liver

The liver is recognized as one of the most common organs for metastatic spread of cancer due to its extensive blood supply and its role in filtering blood from the gastrointestinal tract. Many types of cancer, particularly those originating in the gastrointestinal tract (like colorectal cancer), pancreas, and breast, commonly metastasize to the liver. This is because cancer cells can easily invade the bloodstream or lymphatic system and reach the liver, where they can implant and grow into new tumors. In addition to its anatomical and physiological factors, the liver is an organ where many types of tumors can thrive because it provides a conducive environment for cancer cells due to its metabolic functions and cellular composition. Awareness of this propensity for metastasis is crucial for cancer staging and management, impacting treatment decisions and prognostic evaluations. Other organs, such as the lungs, brain, and kidneys, also see metastatic spread, but the liver remains particularly significant due to the frequency and clinical implications of liver metastases in various cancers.