Condition
Metastasis
Andrey Nailor, M.D.Published 21 January 20051 min read
Key points
- Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another.
- Treatment depends on the type of cancer and where it has metastasized (where it has spread to).
- Cancer cells usually spread via the bloodstream, or lymph system.
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).
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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