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Metastasis

Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases

 

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."

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
  • Your body's natural defenses, such as the immune system

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and where it has spread.

 

 

Open References

References

Doroshow JH. Approach to the patient with cancer. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 169.

Krasnick BA, Goedegebuure SP, Fields R. Tumor biology and tumor markers. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 28.

Rankin EB, Giaccia AJ. Cellular microenvironment and metastases. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 3.

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  • Kidney metastases - CT scan

    Kidney metastases - CT scan

    illustration

  • Liver metastases, CT scan

    Liver metastases, CT scan

    illustration

  • Lymph node metastases, CT scan

    Lymph node metastases, CT scan

    illustration

  • Spleen metastasis - CT scan

    Spleen metastasis - CT scan

    illustration

    • Kidney metastases - CT scan

      Kidney metastases - CT scan

      illustration

    • Liver metastases, CT scan

      Liver metastases, CT scan

      illustration

    • Lymph node metastases, CT scan

      Lymph node metastases, CT scan

      illustration

    • Spleen metastasis - CT scan

      Spleen metastasis - CT scan

      illustration

    Tests for Metastasis

     
       

      Review Date: 10/25/2022

      Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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