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
Medical Physics
also
: the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant (see malignant sense 1) tumor resulting from metastasis
Examples of metastasis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For that reason, pancreatic cancer is typically discovered in its later stages, when metastasis (spread to other organs) has already taken place.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
Research by Hodi and others has since shown that, like Carter, many patients with brain metastases from melanoma can benefit from checkpoint therapy.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
Survival times for brain metastases, which is what President Carter had, were even shorter than that six and a half months, Wolchok notes.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metastasis 
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Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
Research by Hodi and others has since shown that, like Carter, many patients with brain metastases from melanoma can benefit from checkpoint therapy.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 30 Sep. 2024
Survival times for brain metastases, which is what President Carter had, were even shorter than that six and a half months, Wolchok notes.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metastasis
Dictionary Entries Near metastasis
Cite this Entry
“Metastasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metastasis. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
David Plotkin, The Atlantic MonthlyLove words? Need even more definitions?
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