metastasis

noun me·tas·ta·sis \ mə-ˈtas-tə-səs \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of metastasis

plural metastases play \-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 2) tumor resulting from metastasis

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metastatic

play \ˌme-tə-ˈsta-tik\ adjective

—

metastatically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See metastasis defined for kids

Recent Examples of metastasis from the Web

She was diagnosed with T4 M1 neuroendocrine carcinoma metastasis bone cancer last month, and sadly the outcome does not look good.

— Fox News, "Mom battling rare cancer in race against time to create memories with toddler son," 16 May 2018
Only about 80% of patients with liver metastases survive longer than a year, according to a 2005 study.

— mark lieber, CNN, "Group of rare eye cancer cases baffles experts," 1 May 2018
Chemotherapy before breast cancer surgery, for instance, might fuel metastasis in some patients; chemo can also make malignant cells that survive treatment more aggressive.

— sharon begley, STAT, "Cancer surgery can awaken tumor cells, but in mice a cheap pill stops metastasis," 11 Apr. 2018
Mice that got the immune booster only maintained their tumor-free surgical sites, but suffered distant metastases.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "In mice, a single vaccine prompts the immune system to fight breast, lung and skin cancers," 15 Feb. 2018
The plan, so far, was that my mom would get a few months of chemotherapy to shrink the lung metastases enough to remove them.

— meredith goldstein, The Cut, "The Vampire Movie Obsession That Made Me Reconsider How I Felt About Porn," 16 Apr. 2018
However, unfortunately many ultimately develop resistance and metastases.

— Scientific American, "How Cancer Can Become Therapy-Resistant," 7 Apr. 2018
In fact, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients with distant metastasis, or disease that has traveled to another organ such as the liver or bone, is 26.9 percent, as compared to 98.9 percent for those with a localized disease.

— Philly.com, "Why is breast cancer deadlier for black women?," 23 Feb. 2018
Mice that got neither treatment in the wake of surgery saw the rapid return of melanoma around the surgical site, as well as the appearance of metastases far from the original tumor.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "In mice, a single vaccine prompts the immune system to fight breast, lung and skin cancers," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metastasis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of metastasis

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1663

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Medical Dictionary

metastasis

noun me·tas·ta·sis \ mə-ˈtas-tə-səs \

medical Definition of metastasis

plural metastases play \-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, 20 Sept. 1993

also : the process by which such spreading occurs

2 : a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis