metastasis

noun

me·​tas·​ta·​sis mə-ˈta-stə-səs 

plural metastases mə-ˈta-stə-ˌsēz 

1

a

: change of position, state, or form

b

: the spread of a disease-producing agency (such as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body

metastasis of breast cancer to bone

—Medical Physics

also : the process by which such spreading occurs

2

: a secondary malignant (see malignant sense 1) tumor resulting from metastasis

metastatic

ˌme-tə-ˈsta-tik 

adjective

metastatically

ˌme-tə-ˈsta-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of metastasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New fractures or unexplained fractures can also be a sign of bone metastasis, Dr. Tsarwhas adds. —Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 15 Sep. 2021

Through erosion, decomposition and the gnawing of rodents, taphonomic changes might also create the illusion of metastasis — pseudopathology — a possibility that must be taken into account along with alternative diagnoses like osteoporosis and infectious disease. —George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2013

This technology has the potential to significantly inhibit metastasis progression. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 June 2019

First, are one or more specific mutations necessary for metastasis and present in all patients? —Jeffrey P. Townsend, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2018

For instance, cancer patients with bone metastases could be treated with denosumab, a monoclonal antibody, but the cost sharing should only be eliminated for the equally effective Zometa, which costs approximately $24,000 less per year for each patient. —Ezekiel J. Emanuel, STAT, 23 May 2023

Write an insurance rebuttal to an insurance company about treatment of the primary prostate tumor and single site of metastases. —Larry Buchanan, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2023

Skeletal distribution of metastases is another aspect of cancer similar in dogs and humans. —David J. Waters, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015

The team found that about 95 percent of the cancers that formed were in fact multicolored and therefore derived from multiple cells (lung metastasis, above). —Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2016

See More

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, transition, from Greek, from methistanai to change, from meta- + histanai to set — more at stand

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

metastasis

noun

me·​tas·​ta·​sis mə-ˈtas-tə-səs 

plural metastases -ˌsēz 

1

: the spread of something that produces disease (as cancer cells) from the original location of disease to another part of the body

2

: a growth of a malignant tumor in another part of the body resulting from metastasis

Medical Definition

metastasis

noun

me·​tas·​ta·​sis mə-ˈtas-tə-səs 

plural metastases -ˌsēz 

1

a

: change of position, state, or form

b

: the spread of a disease-producing agent (as cancer cells or bacteria) or disease from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body

The overwhelming concern about prostate cancer is its potential for metastasis—for cells to escape the gland and take root in lymph nodes, bones, lungs, skin, or other tissue.

—Tom Alexander, Fortune

also : the process by which such spreading occurs

2

: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis

… radiation has no known effect on distant metastases from breast cancer …

—David Plotkin, The Atlantic Monthly