Metastasis
Also known as: secondaries, metastatic disease, stage IV, mets
Cancer that has spread from where it started to another part of the body.
Definition
Metastasis (plural: metastases) is the spread of cancer cells from where they first formed to a different part of the body. Cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic channels and form new tumours in distant organs such as the bones, liver, lungs or brain.
The presence of metastases means the cancer is stage IV (see TNM staging). Although stage IV disease is usually not curable, modern treatments — including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiation — can often control the disease for years while preserving good quality of life. Palliative care works alongside cancer treatment to manage symptoms.
See also
- Staging — The process of finding out how large a cancer is and whether it has spread.
- TNM Staging — The international system that describes cancer by tumour size (T), node involvement (N) and metastasis (M).
- Palliative Care — Specialist care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life at any stage of cancer.
- PET-CT — A combined scan that shows both the structure and the metabolic activity of tissues.
- Recurrence — The return of cancer after a period of being undetectable.
Related on this site
Questions about your diagnosis?
Bring your reports — we'll review them together and explain every term that matters for your care.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
This page is patient education, not a substitute for an in-person consultation. Cancer care must be individualised. Read our medical disclaimer →