Tumor growth is the common denominator of all cancer epidemiological functions. It drives them and shape their manifestations. I described it in other presentations
I describe now an important and unique study of tumor growth and metastasis by Koscielny and coworkers. It established the relationship between tumor growth and metastasis. Yet their data provide more insight than meets the eye, which I shall now describe.
It seems plausible that any tumor observed at diagnosis, is accompanied by hidden metastases. Many evolve extremely slowly and even remain dormant
There is a perfect correlation between tumor diameter and metastasis at diagnosis
All cumulative curves level off.
There is a good correlation between tumor diameter and terminal probability of each level.
Conclusion; Tumor and metastases are coordinated and evolve as one system
Cancer is more than just a tumor. It is an interaction between organism and tumor.
Cancer is a dynamic system in which organism and tumor interact.
Tumor growth and metastasis are driven by a virus and controlled by the organism (discussed in other presentations)