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Metastasis

Definition
- Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the blood or the lymph system.
  If a cancer spreads, it is said to have "metastasized."
Alternative Names
- Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases
Information
- Whether or not cancer cells spread to other parts of the body depends on many things, including:
  The type of cancer
  The stage of the cancer
  Original location of the cancer
  Treatment depends on the type of cancer and where it has spread.
References
- Perry MC. Approach to the patient with cancer. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 182.

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- Lymph system