MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Metastasis

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Metastasis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names Definition	Information References

Illustrations

Kidney metastases, CT scan

Liver metastases, CT scan

Lymph node metastases, CT scan

Spleen metastasis - CT scan

Alternative Names Return to top

Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases

Definition Return to top

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 Return to top

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.

References Return to top

Lippman SM, Hong WK. Cancer prevention. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 191.

Perry MC. Principles of cancer therapy. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 192.

Update Date: 10/20/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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