Metastases

Accumulating evidence suggests that the nervous system has a significant impact not only on processes related to the primary tumor, but also on the development of metastases. An example is the influence of the sympathoadrenal system on the development of perioperative micrometastases. In this case, neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses increase the likelihood of metastasis of the primary tumor during its extirpation. In addition, however, the nervous system may also act directly on the compartments in which disseminated tumor cells have nested and there promote the growth of metastases.