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Metastasis
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Definition
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. A tumor formed by cells that have spread is called a “metastatic tumor” or a “metastasis.” The metastatic tumor contains cells that are like those in the original (primary) tumor. The plural form of metastasis is metastases (meh-TAS-tuh-SEEZ).
Metastatic, or the process by which malignant neoplasms can shed individual cells, which can travel through the lymph vessels or blood vessels, lodge in some distant organ, and grow into tumors in their own right. There are two major routes of metastasis
1. Hematogenous, in which cells travel through the blood vessels.
2. Lymphogenous, in which the lymphatic vessels conduct the cancer cells. In the case of lymphogenous metastasis, the metastatic tumors can grow from cancer cells entrapped in the lymph nodes that collect the lymph draining from the organ where the original cancer has developed, causing the nodes to enlarge.
Micrometastasis is when a secondary tumor is not visible to the unaided eye.
Metastatic, or the process by which malignant neoplasms can shed individual cells, which can travel through the lymph vessels or blood vessels, lodge in some distant organ, and grow into tumors in their own right. There are two major routes of metastasis
1. Hematogenous, in which cells travel through the blood vessels.
2. Lymphogenous, in which the lymphatic vessels conduct the cancer cells. In the case of lymphogenous metastasis, the metastatic tumors can grow from cancer cells entrapped in the lymph nodes that collect the lymph draining from the organ where the original cancer has developed, causing the nodes to enlarge.
Micrometastasis is when a secondary tumor is not visible to the unaided eye.
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Alternate Names
Metastases
Micrometastasis
Abstractor Notes
None
