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

Modified or abnormally expressed glycans have been linked to cancer growth and spread, or metastasis. —Paul McClure 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2025

Characterized by a Gleason score of 9 with metastasis to the bone, the diagnosis is deemed high risk, as scores of 8-10 are considered highly aggressive and rapidly growing cancers. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 May 2025

Their study, published in Nature, demonstrates how aspirin could reduce the metastasis of certain cancers by stimulating the immune system. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025

Aura Biosciences is also developing bel-sar for other solid tumors, including metastases to the choroid and bladder cancer. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025

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