metastasis

enUK

metastasis

1. Pathol the spreading of a disease, esp cancer cells, from one part of the body to another 2. a rare word for metabolism

Metastasis

a secondary pathological focus arising from the transfer of a pathogenic principle (tumor cells, infectious agent) from the primary site of affection by the lymph or blood.

In the modern view, the term “metastasis” generally applies to the spread (dissemination) of malignant tumor cells; the spread of an infectious principle is usually described by the term “metastatic infectious focus.”

Benign tumors are also known to metastasize, and the capacity to do so is inherent in normal cells of various origin (in placental villi, adipose and hematopoietic bone-marrow cells). A distinctive feature of metastasizing tumor cells is the uncontrollable growth of the metastasis, relating it to primary foci of malignant growth. Metastatic tumor nodes retain other properties of primary tumors as well, such as microstructural features and the capacity to form the same products; however, metastatic nodes often have a more primitive structure and consist of functionally less mature cells than do the original tumors.

When tumor cells spread chiefly through the lymphatic vessels, metastases generally appear in the lymph nodes closest to the primary site. Although much research has been devoted to the routes and anatomical patterns of lymphogenous metastasis, the biological patterns of formation of lymphogenous metastases remain obscure. The mechanisms of hematogenous metastasis (to the lungs, liver, bones, and other viscera) are better understood. Four stages in the development of hematogenous metastasis are distinguished: (1) the detachment of cells from the primary tumor node and their penetration of the blood through the vascular wall; (2) the circulation of the tumor cells in the blood; (3) the attachment of the cells to the vascular wall and the start of intravascular growth; and (4) the rupture of the vascular wall by the tumorous masses and the subsequent growth of the metastasis into the tissue of the affected organ. The presence of metastasis indicates that a tumorous process has shifted from a local growth phase to a phase of generalization. A distinction is made between solitary metastasis, which generally can be removed surgically, and multiple metastases, which require combined treatment using radiation and chemotherapy.

N. S. KISELEVA

metastasis

[mə′tas·tə·səs] (medicine) Transfer of the causal agent (cell or microorganism) of a disease from a primary focus to a distant one through the blood or lymphatic vessels. (physics) A transition of an electron or nucleon from one bound state to another in an atom or molecule, or the capture of an electron by a nucleus.

Metastasis

enUK

metastasis

[mĕ-tas´tah-sis] 1. the transfer of disease from one organ or part to another not directly connected with it. It may be due either to the transfer of pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., tubercle bacilli) or to the transfer of cells, as in malignant tumors. See also cancer.2. a growth of pathogenic microorganisms or of abnormal cells distant from the site primarily involved by the morbid process. adj., adj metastat´ic.

Metastasis: A metastatic cascade occurs in several steps, marked 1 through 7. From Damjanov, 2000.

me·tas·ta·sis

, pl.

me·tas·ta·ses

(mĕ-tas'tă-sis, -sēz), 1. The shifting of a disease or its local manifestations, from one part of the body to another, as in mumps when the symptoms referable to the parotid gland subside and the testis becomes affected. 2. The spread of a disease process from one part of the body to another, as in the appearance of neoplasms in parts of the body remote from the site of the primary tumor; results from dissemination of tumor cells by the lymphatics or blood vessels or by direct extension through serous cavities or subarachnoid or other spaces. 3. Transportation of bacteria from one part of the body to another, through the bloodstream (hematogenous metastasis) or through lymph channels (lymphogenous metastasis). Synonym(s): secondaries (1) [G. a removing, fr. meta, in the midst of, + stasis, a placing]

metastasis

(mĭ-tăs′tə-sĭs)n. pl. metasta·ses (-sēz′) Medicine 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.

met′a·stat′ic (mĕt′ə-stăt′ĭk) adj.met′a·stat′i·cal·ly adv.

metastasis

Plural, metastases Oncology The distal spread of a malignancy, either by penetration of a blood or lymphatic vessel or by spread along a serosal membrane with later development into a 2^nd focus of malignancy. See Blow-out metastasis, Cannonball metastasis, Micrometastasis, Skip metastasis.

me·tas·ta·sis

, pl. metastases (mĕ-tas'tă-sis, -sēz) 1. The shifting of a disease or its local manifestations, from one part of the body to another, as in mumps when the symptoms referable to the parotid gland subside and the testis becomes affected. 2. The spread of a disease process from one part of the body to another, as in the appearance of neoplasms in parts of the body remote from the site of the primary tumor; results from dissemination of tumor cells by the lymphatics or blood vessels or by direct extension through serous cavities or subarachnoid or other spaces. 3. Transportation of bacteria from one part of the body to another, through the bloodstream (hematogenous metastasis) or through lymph channels (lymphogenous metastasis).

metastasis

(mĕ-tăs′tă-sis) plural.metastases [″ + stasis, stand] 1. Movement of bacteria or body cells (esp. cancer cells) from one part of the body to another.

METASTASES: CT scan of liver (upper left) with round metastatic tumors (Courtesy of Harvey Hatch, MD, Curry General Hospital)2. Change in location of a disease or of its manifestations or transfer from one organ or part to another not directly connected. See: illustration

The usual application is to the manifestation of a malignancy as a secondary growth arising from the primary growth in a new location. The malignant cells may spread through the lymphatic circulation, the bloodstream, or avenues such as the cerebrospinal fluid.

metastatic (mĕt″ă-stăt′ĭk), adjective

metastasis

1. The spread or transfer of any disease, but especially cancer, from its original site to another place in the body where the disease process starts up. Metastasis usually occurs by way of the bloodstream or the lymphatic system or, in the case of lung disease by coughing and re-inhalation of particles to other parts of the lung. 2. The new focus of disease, so produced.

metastasis

the process of cancerous tissue spreading to various parts of the body.

Metastasis (plural, metastases)

The spread of disease from one part of the body to another, as when cancer cells appear in parts of the body remote from the site of the primary tumor.Mentioned in: Bile Duct Cancer, Colon Cancer, Computed Tomography Scans, Gallbladder Cancer, Malignant Melanoma, Myxoma, Neuroendocrine Tumors, Paget's Disease of the Breast, Rectal Cancer, Superior Vena Cava Syndrome, Vulvar Cancer

me·tas·ta·sis

, pl. metastases (mĕ-tas'tă-sis, -sēz) 1. Spread of a disease process from one part of the body to another, as in the appearance of neoplasms in parts of the body remote from the site of the primary tumor; results from dissemination of tumor cells by the lymphatics or blood vessels or by direct extension through serous cavities or subarachnoid or other spaces. 2. Transportation of bacteria from one part of the body to another, through the bloodstream or through lymph channels.

Patient discussion about Metastasis

Q. I have met my close friend after 3 years. She is showing some signs of high depression. How can I help her? I have met my very close friend after 3 years and she is very depressed. I am worried that she is showing some signs of high depression. She talks all rubbish and negatives these days which is filled with that nonsense hopelessness. She was fine and going good when I left her and now she is completely negative in her behavior and also very depressed. She is not able to enjoy my company. She had lost her weight and her eyes reflect the bluntness. She keeps silent most of the time. How can I help her?A. I think first you must talk to her and find out about when and how this started. Take her to all the places where you both used to go. She might have come across difficult phase in these years which would have made her depressed and she may need a support to bring her back to normal way of living. We cannot say that this is a depression which would get cured by just talking and knowing the reasons but you must help her to fight back for the thing she had lost. If there is no desired result, then do consult a physician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9QxddJOQY4&eurl=http://www.imedix.com/health_community/vP9QxddJOQY4_nervous_system_depression_psyche?q=depression&feature=player_embedded

Q. Does staging in breast cancer is linked to metastasis and what is the use of staging? A. stages in cancer tell of it's progress. is it benign, does it have a capsule, did it metastasized and all that. but if you are looking for more accurate and more information on that in general:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging.jsp
this should do it!

Q. What is the best pathophysiology of colorectal cancer. The pathophysiology just has to be brief and concise. It also has to include nursing considerations for the patient. A. i'm not sure i understand your question...do you mean what is the best treatment for colorectal cancer? patophysiology is the changes the tissue acquired. if you'll give me more details on what you are looking for i'll be more then happy to help you.

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Metastasis (plural, metastases)

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Patient discussion about Metastasis

metastasis

Words related to metastasis

noun the spreading of a disease (especially cancer) to another part of the body

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