Actress Nafisa Ali's cancer spreads to liver: How cancer travels from one organ to another

Actor Nafisa Ali has shared an update on her cancer journey, revealing that her stage 4 ovarian and peritoneal cancer has progressed, with new cancer deposits detected on the surface of her liver.

The actor said her treatment protocol has now changed and she has started targeted therapy. She had previously spoken about entering remission for the third time.

But what does it actually mean when doctors say 'cancer has spread'? How does cancer move from one organ to another, and does cancer in the liver always mean liver cancer?advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryWHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN CANCER SPREADS?When cancer cells move from the organ where they first developed to another part of the body, the process is called metastasis.

For example, if ovarian cancer cells reach the liver, the condition is generally described as metastatic ovarian cancer, not a new primary liver cancer.

“Cancer spread means that malignant cells have moved beyond the original site and established deposits elsewhere. The new growth still retains the characteristics of the original cancer,” explained Dr Rohan Mehta, consultant medical oncologist.HOW DOES CANCER TRAVEL TO OTHER ORGANS?

Cancer cells can spread through several routes:Bloodstream: Cancer cells enter blood vessels and travel to distant organs.Lymphatic system: Cells move through lymph vessels and lymph nodes.Nearby tissues: A tumour may directly invade surrounding structures.Body cavities: Certain cancers, including ovarian cancer, can spread across the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Once these cells reach another location, they may settle there and form new tumour deposits.WHY CAN OVARIAN CANCER SPREAD TO THE LIVER?

Ovarian cancer commonly spreads within the abdomen, including the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can also form deposits on the outer surface of organs, including the liver.

This is different from cancer growing inside the liver tissue itself.

“In ovarian cancer, deposits on the liver surface can represent spread across the abdominal lining. That is not automatically the same as a primary liver tumour or cancer growing deep inside the liver,” said Dr Mehta.

The distinction is important because the origin of the cancer determines how doctors classify and treat it.DOES CANCER SPREADING TO THE LIVER MEAN IT HAS BECOME LIVER CANCER?

If ovarian cancer spreads to the liver, the cells are still ovarian cancer cells. Similarly, breast cancer that spreads to the lungs remains metastatic breast cancer, not lung cancer.

Doctors use imaging, biopsy findings and other tests to determine whether a growth is a metastasis or a separate primary cancer.WHY DOES THE TREATMENT CHANGE AFTER CANCER SPREADS?

Treatment depends on the original cancer, where it has spread, the number and size of deposits, previous treatments and the tumour’s molecular characteristics.

Doctors may consider chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, surgery or a combination of approaches, depending on the case.

Targeted therapy works differently from conventional chemotherapy. It aims at specific molecular changes or proteins that help cancer cells grow and survive.CAN METASTATIC CANCER BE TREATED?

Metastatic cancer is often more difficult to treat than cancer confined to its original organ. However, treatment is not automatically stopped when cancer spreads.

In some cases, treatment can control the disease, slow its progression, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for extended periods.

The outcome varies depending on the cancer type, its biology, the organs involved and how it responds to treatment.WHY DO DOCTORS USE PET/CT SCANS?

PET/CT scans combine information about the body's structure with areas showing increased metabolic activity. They help doctors identify possible cancer deposits, assess whether disease has progressed and evaluate response to treatment.

However, a scan finding alone does not always establish the complete nature of a lesion. Doctors interpret it alongside the patient's history, previous scans and other investigations.WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIGNS OF CANCER SPREAD?

Symptoms depend on the organ involved. Some patients may have no obvious symptoms, while others may experience:advertisementPersistent painUnexplained weight lossFatigueLoss of appetiteAbdominal swelling or discomfortBreathlessness, if the lungs are involvedJaundice or other liver-related symptoms, in certain casesThese symptoms are not specific to metastatic cancer and can occur in several other conditions.- EndsPublished By: vaishnavi parasharPublished On: Sep 16, 2026 18:03 IST