Metastasis
Illustrations
Alternative Names
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Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases
Definition
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Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the bloodstream or the lymph system.
Information
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Whether or not cancer cells metastasize (spread to) 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.
Update Date:
10/30/2006
Updated by:
William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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