noun

metastasis

muh-TAS-tuh-sis

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Metastasis (noun) means Metastasis is the spread of a disease, especially cancer, from its original site to another part of the body. Example: “The scan revealed metastasis to the lymph nodes.”

noun

medicine Metastasis is the spread of a disease, especially cancer, from its original site to another part of the body.

"The scan revealed metastasis to the lymph nodes."

"Doctors monitor for signs of metastasis after treating the primary tumour."

"Metastasis can make a cancer much harder to treat successfully."

How to use metastasis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhen a disease, usually cancer, spreads from where it started to somewhere else in the body.

When to use it

The word belongs to formal medical language and is rarely used outside clinical or scientific contexts.

Memory tip

The plural form is metastases, not metastasises.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

metabolism →

Common pairings

metastasis to the liver signs of metastasis risk of metastasis distant metastasis

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “metastasis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The scan revealed _____ to the lymph nodes.

Etymology

Metastasis is a learned borrowing from Late Latin, which in turn took the word from Ancient Greek metastasis, meaning a change or a movement from one place or condition to another. Its modern medical sense, describing the spread of cancer, was first used this way in French in 1829 by the gynaecologist Joseph Récamier.

Origin: Late Latin

Rhymes for metastasis

basis oasis stasis emphasis psoriasis homeostasis iconostasis candidiasis

See all rhymes for metastasis →

Frequently asked questions

What does metastasis mean?

Metastasis means the spread of a disease, most often cancer, from where it began to another part of the body.

Where does the word metastasis come from?

It comes from Ancient Greek by way of Late Latin, where it originally referred to a change or shift from one state or place to another.

Who first used metastasis to describe cancer spreading?

The French gynaecologist Joseph Récamier is credited with using the word this way in 1829.

What is the meaning of metastasis?

"metastasis" (noun) means metastasis is the spread of a disease, especially cancer, from its original site to another part of the body.