metastasis

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'metastasis' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a medical term that refers to the spreading of cancerous cells from one part of the body to another. It can also be used figuratively to describe the spread or progression of something negative or harmful. Example: The doctor informed the patient that the cancer had metastasized to her lungs, and she would need to undergo further treatment.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is the first to see the test results for an 84-year-old man, confirming liver metastasis.

The Guardian

Taking chemical aim at the CXCR2 receptor, or developing drugs that reduce the secretion by bone of CXCL5 might slow or even halt breast-cancer metastasis.

The Economist

Their invention, which they describe in Biomaterials, is a lab-on-a-chip that mimics the metastasis of breast cancer into bone marrow.One of the mysteries of metastasis is why migrant cells from different sorts of primaries prefer to set up home in particular types of secondary tissue.

The Economist

Making it one was a mistake .Alida Vracic, head of a Sarajevo think-tank called Populari has written a response to Gerald Knaus, the head of ESI, called the "metastasis of nihilism".

The Economist

Dr DePinho refers to it, jokingly, as metastasis, since a clone of his primary creation will be taking root elsewhere in the country.As to which five cancers to attack, that decision will be made by the middle of 2012.

The Economist

Stopping metastasis would thus be a great achievement.

The Economist

That would be one benign sort of metastasis.

The Economist

That may, eventually, result in less metastasis, fewer secondaries and longer lives for patients.

The Economist

Because of the high rate of metastasis of squamous cell carcinomas, early diagnosis is important, especially in a middle-aged or elderly person with a skin ulcer that fails to heal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, because the lungs are usually the first organ through which the blood flows after leaving most organs, they are the most-common site of metastasis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, in a study of breast cancer patients whose disease had spread to the brain, defects in some 17 genes were correlated with brain metastasis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about cancer, use "metastasis" to specifically denote the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other parts of the body, which is a key factor in disease progression and treatment strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "metastasis" interchangeably with general tumor growth. "Metastasis" refers specifically to the spread of cancer to new sites, not simply the enlargement of the original tumor.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "metastasis" is as a noun, referring to the spread of a disease, particularly cancer, from its primary site to other locations in the body. Ludwig examples show its use in medical contexts, such as "confirming liver metastasis".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

26%

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "metastasis" functions as a noun denoting the spread of cancer from its primary location, a crucial concept in medicine and oncology. According to Ludwig, it's a medical term describing the spread of cancer cells, sometimes used figuratively for other negative phenomena. Predominantly used in formal and scientific registers, including encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications, its usage reflects a professional and technical context. Highlighting its significance, Ludwig's examples provide practical instances from credible sources such as Encyclopedia Britannica and The New York Times. Understanding "metastasis" is essential in discussions about cancer, its progression, and potential treatments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the spread of cancer cells

A more descriptive phrase that clarifies the process of "metastasis".

cancer spread

Focuses specifically on the spread of cancer, a key context for "metastasis".

secondary tumor development

Highlights the formation of new tumors as a result of the spread.

cancer dissemination

Emphasizes the scattering or distribution aspect of cancer's spread.

malignant cell migration

Pinpoints the movement of cancerous cells to new locations.

disease progression

Offers a more general term for the advancement of a disease, including its spread.

tumor invasion

Highlights the invasive nature of tumor cells into other tissues.

remote seeding

Describes the planting of tumor cells in distant areas of the body.

metastatic cascade

Refers to the series of events involved in the metastatic process.

secondary growth

A more general term indicating growth in a new location.

FAQs

How to use "metastasis" in a sentence?

You can use "metastasis" to describe the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. For example, "The doctor confirmed the cancer had spread via "metastasis" to the patient's liver."

What is the difference between "metastasis" and "tumor"?

"Tumor" refers to an abnormal mass of tissue, while "metastasis" describes the process where cancer cells break away from a primary tumor and spread to other parts of the body, forming new tumors.

Which is correct, "metastasis" or "metastasize"?

"Metastasis" is a noun referring to the spread of cancer, while "metastasize" is a verb describing the action of cancer spreading. For example, the cancer underwent "metastasis" and began to "metastasize" throughout the body.

What can I say instead of "metastasis"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "cancer spread", "secondary tumor development", or "cancer dissemination" to describe the process of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.