Word parts
What it means
Cancer cells break away from the first (primary) tumor and travel through the blood or the lymph system to form new tumors elsewhere, such as in the bones, liver, lungs or brain. The new tumor is still named for where it began: breast cancer that has spread to the bone is metastatic breast cancer, not bone cancer. Whether a cancer has spread is a key part of its stage.
For the nurse
New pain, especially bone or back pain, new headaches or confusion, or yellowing of the skin in a client with cancer should be reported.
At a glance
| Spanish | metástasis |
|---|---|
| Also written | metastases, metastatic, metastasize, metastasized |
Related terms
melanoma
A cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color.
lymphoma
A cancer of lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the lymph system.
carcin/o
A word part that means cancer.
adjuvant
Added to a main treatment to help it work better; also a substance added to a vaccine to strengthen the immune response.
radiation therapy
Treatment that uses high-energy rays or radioactive material to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.