METASTATIC Meaning and
Definition
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Metastatic refers to the ability of cancerous cells to spread and establish new tumors at distant locations in the body. Derived from the term metastasis, which is the process of cancer cells breaking away from the primary tumor and infiltrating other organs or tissues, metastatic is used to describe the advanced stage of cancer when it has spread beyond its original site.
When cancer cells become metastatic, they can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to different parts of the body, where they can form secondary tumors. These secondary tumors are called metastases. Metastatic cancers are often more challenging to treat than localized tumors, as they may have invaded vital organs or spread to multiple areas, making them harder to eliminate completely.
Common sites where metastases occur include the liver, lungs, bones, brain, and lymph nodes. However, cancer can spread to almost any part of the body. The presence of metastatic disease is an important factor in determining the stage and prognosis of cancer.
Doctors may use various imaging techniques or conduct biopsies to detect and confirm the presence of metastatic tumors. Treatment for metastatic cancer typically involves a combination of therapies, such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or hormone therapy. The goal is to manage the disease, control symptoms, and prolong survival. However, the treatment approach may vary depending on the type and location of the primary tumor as well as individual patient factors.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of METASTATIC
The word "metastatic" is derived from the Greek word "metastasis", which means "change, alteration". The term is a combination of two Greek words: "meta", meaning "beyond" or "change", and "stasis", meaning "a standing still" or "stability". In medical terminology, "metastasis" refers to the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another, typically through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. "Metastatic" is an adjective form of "metastasis" and is used to describe cancers or tumors that have spread to distant sites within the body.
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