metastasis

noun me·tas·ta·sis \ mə-ˈtas-tə-səs \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 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

In mice with the brain metastases, about half survived for several weeks after the cell therapy — evidence that engineered rehoming tumor cells might be therapeutic.

— sharon begley, STAT, "CRISPR makes cancer cells turncoats that attack their tumor, mouse study finds," 11 July 2018
Surgery and chemo helped for two years, when a small brain metastasis was detected.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Can the abortion pill treat advanced lung cancer? This infertility expert wants to find out," 3 July 2018
Few studies have reported meaningful data on recurrence, metastasis or prostate cancer-specific death rates with robotic prostatectomy.

— WSJ, "Is Robotic Prostate Surgery Better Than Traditional Surgery?," 24 June 2018
Now Goodall faced a new diagnosis: Stage 4 cancer with bone metastases.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "'I got 13 good years.' With prostate cancer in his bones, here's his message for men. | Charlotte Observer," 24 May 2018
But according to new research, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for men in the 55 to 69 age group could prevent 1.3 deaths and 3 cases of cancer metastases for every 1,000 men screened.

— mark lieber, CNN, "Prostate cancer screening recommendations get rolled back by US task force," 8 May 2018
The hormone therapy is likely to stop the growth of the bone metastases, perhaps even shrink the lesions, Watson said.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "'I got 13 good years.' With prostate cancer in his bones, here's his message for men. | Charlotte Observer," 24 May 2018
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

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