metastatic tumor
A doctor points to a diagram showing a metastatic tumor during a consultation.
Noun: A metastatic tumor is a malignant (cancerous) growth that has spread from its original site (the primary tumor) to a different, distant part of the body. This process of spreading is called metastasis.
The term is used in medical contexts to describe a secondary cancer mass. It indicates that the cancer is no longer localized and has advanced. - The biopsy confirmed that the growth in her liver was a metastatic tumor, originating from the primary colon cancer. - Treatment for a metastatic tumor often focuses on controlling the spread and managing symptoms, as it is a sign of advanced disease.
- "Metastatic tumor burden": Refers to the total amount or volume of metastatic cancer present in the body.
- The concept is central to cancer staging (e.g., Stage IV cancer typically involves metastatic tumors).
- Metastasis (n): The process by which cancer cells spread to form metastatic tumors.
- Metastatic (adj): Describing the nature of the spread. (e.g., , ).
- Secondary tumor: A synonym for a metastatic tumor.
- Primary tumor: The original tumor from which cancer cells have spread.
- Secondary cancer
- Metastasis (when referring to the tumor itself in context)
- Disseminated tumor
- Primary tumor
- Benign tumor (a non-cancerous growth that does not spread)
- Localized cancer
- Site of metastasis: The specific organ or tissue where the metastatic tumor has formed.
- The bones and lungs are common sites of metastasis for many cancers.
- Metastatic spread: The act or result of cancer cells disseminating.
- The metastatic spread was extensive, affecting multiple organs.
A doctor points to a diagram showing a metastatic tumor during a consultation.
- a tumor that is malignant and tends to spread to other parts of the body