metastasis

metastasis definition - medical

me·tas·ta·sis (mə-tăsˈtə-sĭs)

noun pl. me·tas·ta·ses (-sēzˌ)
  1. Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms or cancerous cells from an original site to one or more sites elsewhere in the body, usually by way of the blood vessels or lymphatics.
  2. A secondary cancerous growth formed by transmission of cancerous cells from a primary growth located elsewhere in the body.

Related Forms:

  • metˌa·statˈic (mĕtˌə-stătˈĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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