A chilling simulation shows how cancer leads to death—not always directly, but by overwhelming the body in multiple ways.

Around 618,120 people in the U.S. are expected to die of cancer this year, with lung, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers causing the most deaths, according to the NIH.

The YouTube video by Dr. Paulien Moyaert begins with metastatic cancer, “the most lethal,” where a single cell breaks off, spreads, and forms tumors in other organs, eventually causing organ failure. In the digestive system, this can block nutrient absorption or bowel movements, turning fatal without surgery. Pancreatic cancer, in particular, can make the pancreas “digest itself,” making it “one of the most painful and deadliest types.”

Lung cancer often leads to death by asphyxiation. “There’s not enough oxygen around the body,” the video explains—this is the leading cause of death in lung cancer cases.

Infections are the second most common cause of death, as cancer and chemotherapy suppress immunity. “Having cancer impairs immunity,” the video says, and bone marrow damage limits white blood cell production.Lastly, cancer causes *cachexia*—a wasting syndrome. “Toxins released by the cancer cells suppress appetite,” leading to severe weight and muscle loss in many patients.