1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Breast Cancer

Metastasize - Definition of Breast Cancer Metastasis

By , About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: To travel or spread, from one part of the body to another. In breast cancer, the disease may travel by shedding one or more malignant cells from the original tumor through the blood stream or the lymph system to the lungs, bones, brain, liver, or skin.

When breast cancer is diagnosed at Stage 4, it is called metastatic disease.
Pronunciation: mu-TAS-ta-siz
Common Misspellings: matastasize, metastusize
Examples:
Stage 4 breast cancer has metastasized from the original tumor site, and is diagnosed by having any size of tumor, positive lymph nodes, and obvious spread to other parts of the body.
Explore Breast Cancer
About.com Special Features

Conquering High Cholesterol

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Breast Cancer
  4. Decode Medical Terms
  5. M - N - O - P Terms
  6. Metastasize - Definition of Breast Cancer Metastasis>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.