Metastasize is a medical term used to describe the spread of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. It is pronounced `/mɛtəˈstæsaɪz/`, where the stress falls on the second syllable. The word is spelled with a "t" in the second syllable, but it is often mispronounced with a "z" sound due to similarity with other English words (e.g. "emphasize"). Correct pronunciation of "metastasize" is important for effective communication in healthcare settings.
Metastasize is a verb used in medical terminology to describe the process in which cancer spreads or spreads to other parts of the body from its original site. It refers to the ability of cancer cells to break away from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Once in the circulatory system, malignant cells can travel to distant organs and tissues, where they form new cancerous growths or secondary tumors.
Metastasis is a crucial component of cancer progression and significantly affects the prognosis and treatment options. It signifies the transition from localized or early-stage cancer to a more advanced and potentially life-threatening stage. The spread of cancer cells occurs through a series of sequential steps involving migration, invasion, and colonization in distant sites.
The occurrence of metastasis indicates that cancer has become more aggressive and requires more complex treatment approaches, often including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Metastatic cancer is generally more challenging to treat than localized cancer and may require a multidisciplinary approach involving multiple healthcare providers.
Understanding the metastatic process is critical for cancer research and treatment strategies. By studying the mechanisms that drive metastasis, researchers aim to develop novel therapies that can specifically target and inhibit the spread of cancer cells, ultimately improving patient outcomes and survival rates.
To pass into or invade by metastasis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "metastasize" comes from the Greek word "metastasis", which means a "transference" or "migration". It is derived from the verb "metistanai", comprising "meta" meaning "change" and "histanai" meaning "to place" or "to stand". In medical terminology, "metastasis" refers to the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another, and "metastasize" is the verb form used to describe this process.