metastasis

(mĕ-tas′tă-sĭs)

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(mĕ-tas′tă-sēz″)
pl. metastases [meta- + stasis]

1. Movement of bacteria or body cells (esp. cancer cells) from one part of the body to another.
2. A change in the location of a disease from one part of the body to another. Diseases (such as cancer) may spread by direct invasion or through body fluids, e.g., the bloodstream, lymphatics, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine.
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METASTASES CT scan of liver (upper left) with round metastatic tumors (Courtesy of Harvey Hatch, MD, urry General Hospital)
The usual application is to the manifestation of a malignancy as a secondary growth arising from the primary growth in a new location. The malignant cells may spread through the lymphatic circulation, the bloodstream, or avenues such as the cerebrospinal fluid.

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