Metastasis

Jan 21, 2005 Viewed: 705

Alternative names
Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases

Definition
Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread via the bloodstream, or lymph system.

Information

Whether or not cancer cells metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body depends on many factors, including:

     
  • the type of cancer  
  • the stage of the cancer  
  • original location of the cancer

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and where it has metastasized (where it has spread to).

Johns Hopkins patient information

Last revised: December 4, 2012
by Janet G. Derge, M.D.

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