metastasis

noun me·tas·ta·sis \mə-ˈtas-tə-səs\

plural me·tas·ta·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of METASTASIS

a : change of position, state, or form

b : the spread of a disease-producing agency (as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body; also : the process by which such spreading occurs

: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis

— met·a·stat·ic \ˌme-tə-ˈsta-tik\ adjective

— met·a·stat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See metastasis defined for kids

Origin of METASTASIS

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

First Known Use: 1663

Other Medicine Terms

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

Medical Dictionary

metastasis

noun me·tas·ta·sis \mə-ˈtas-tə-səs\

plural me·tas·ta·ses \-ˌsēz\

Medical Definition of METASTASIS

a : change of position, state, or form b : the spread of a disease-producing agency (as cancer cells or bacteria) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body <metastases of breast cancer to bone—Medical Physics>; also : the process by which such spreading occurs

: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis