Metastasis is defined as what?

Metastasis is defined as what?

• A. The growth of cancer at the primary site
• B. The invasion of cancer cells into adjacent tissues
• C. The death of cancer cells due to therapy
• D. The spread of cancer cells to distant sites away from the original tumor

Answer: (D)

Metastasis means cancer cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish new tumors in distant organs. This process requires detachment, movement into circulation, survival outside the primary site, exit into a distant tissue, and growth there. It’s different from growth at the original site or invasion into nearby tissues, which are local processes, and it’s not about cancer cell death due to therapy. So the description that emphasizes spread to distant sites away from the original tumor best defines metastasis.

Metastasis means cancer cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish new tumors in distant organs. This process requires detachment, movement into circulation, survival outside the primary site, exit into a distant tissue, and growth there. It’s different from growth at the original site or invasion into nearby tissues, which are local processes, and it’s not about cancer cell death due to therapy. So the description that emphasizes spread to distant sites away from the original tumor best defines metastasis.