Sonali Bendre diagnosed with 'high-grade cancer': What is it?

Once cancer spreads, it can be hard to control. Although some types of metastatic cancer can be cured with current treatments, most cannot, said a cancer website.

For most of the people, the mere mention of the word 'Cancer' sends shivers down the spine. Actress Sonali Bendre took to Twitter to share that she has been diagnosed with 'high-grade cancer that has metastasised'.

Metastatic cancer is a cancer that has spread from the part of the body where it started (the primary site) to other parts of the body, as per www.cancer.org. Often, a metastasis occurs in the stage IV (four) of many forms of cancer, says cancer.gov.

"Sometimes when you least expect it, life throws you a curveball. I have recently been diagnosed with high-grade cancer that has metastasized, which we frankly did not see coming. A niggling pain led to some tests, which led to this unexpected diagnosis. My family and close friends have rallied around me, providing the best support system that anyone can ask for. I am very blessed and thankful for each of them," he post read.

What does it mean?

High-grade cancer cells tend to grow and spread more quickly than low-grade cancer cells.

For most cancers, the stage is a Roman numeral from I to IV, where stage IV (4) is the highest and means the cancer is more advanced than in the lower stages. Sometimes stages are subdivided as well, using letters such as A and B.

Advanced cancers can be locally advanced or metastatic. Locally advanced cancer is used to describe cancer that has grown outside the organ it started in but has not yet spread to distant parts of the body.

Once cancer spreads, it can be hard to control. Although some types of metastatic cancer can be cured with current treatments, most cannot, said a cancer website.

Stages of cancer:

Cancer is typically labeled in stages from I to IV, with IV being the most serious. Those broad groups are based on a much more detailed system that includes specific information about the tumor and how it affects the rest of your body, according to WebMD.

• Stage 0 means there's no cancer, only abnormal cells with the potential to become cancer. This is also called carcinoma in situ.

• Stage I means the cancer is small and only in one area. This is also called early-stage cancer.

• Stage II and III mean the cancer is larger and has grown into nearby tissues or lymph nodes.

• Stage IV means the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. It's also called advanced or metastatic cancer.