metastasis

noun

me·​tas·​ta·​sis mə-ˈta-stə-səs How to pronounce metastasis (audio)
plural metastases mə-ˈta-stə-ˌsēz How to pronounce metastasis (audio)
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 boneMedical Physics
also : the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant (see malignant sense 1) tumor resulting from metastasis
metastatic adjective
metastatically 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metastasis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of metastasis was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near metastasis

Cite this Entry

“Metastasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metastasis. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

metastasis

noun
me·​tas·​ta·​sis mə-ˈtas-tə-səs How to pronounce metastasis (audio)
plural metastases -ˌsēz How to pronounce metastasis (audio)
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 How to pronounce metastasis (audio)
plural metastases -ˌsēz How to pronounce metastasis (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on metastasis

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