Metastasis is the primary factor that makes cancer especially deadly because it involves the spread of cancer cells from the original tumor site to other parts of the body, forming new tumors. These secondary tumors, or metastases, often invade vital organs, disrupting their functions. Certain types of cancer are known for their tendency to spread through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that plays a crucial role in the body’s immune response and in filtering out harmful substances. Here are some of the cancers that commonly spread via this system:
- Bladder
- Breast
- Cervical
- Colorectal
- Head and neck
- Lung
- Lymphoma
- Melanoma
- Ovarian
- Prostate
- Stomach
- Testicular
- Uterine
The above cancers often metastasize regionally through the lymphatic system before they metastasize systemically through the bloodstream. Exposure to lymph fluid has been found to protect cancer cells from ferroptosis and increase their ability to survive during subsequent metastasis through the blood. Differences between lymph fluid and blood plasma that contribute to this are the high levels of ferroptosis-inhibiting glutathione and MUFAs such as oleic acid, and much lower iron levels in lymph fluid. To help induce iron-mediated death of cancer cells (ferroptosis), it is important to decrease the ability of metastasizing cancer cells to utilize the lymphatic system.
To help suppress the metastatic potential of cancer cells via the lymphatic system and promote ferroptosis, prescription lithium carbonate has been found to a) decrease lymphatic density and surface contact with cancer cells, b) impair the migration of cancer cells to the lymphatic system, and c) decrease lymphatic permeability, thereby inhibiting cancer cells from entering or exiting the lymphatic system. To reduce the incidence of lithium toxicity, proper dosing is important. Fortunately, toxicity is virtually eliminated using low-dose lithium carbonate. Over-the-counter lithium orotate supplements contain too little elemental lithium to have clinical benefit.
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