metastasis

n. transference of disease producing organisms from one part of the body to another via blood vessels (Pathology); rapid change from one subject to another (Rhetoric); change in position or orbit of an elementary particle (Physics)

For the musical composition, see Metastasis (Xenakis composition).Metastasis (Greek: displacement, μετά=next + στάσις=placement, plural: metastases), sometimes abbreviated mets, is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-contiguous organ or part. Only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize.Cancer cells can "break away" from a primary tumor, penetrate into lymphatic and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, and grow in a distant focus (metastasize) in normal tissues elsewhere in the body. Metastasis is considered a hallmark of malignancy. All tumors can metastasize albeit to varying degrees, barring a few exceptions (eg. Glioma and Basal cell carcinoma never metastasize).
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Metastasis /me·tas·ta·sis/ pl. metas´tases 1. transfer of disease from one organ or part of the body to another not directly connected with it, [more]Metastasis - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the spreading of a disease to another part of the body
(hypernym) pathologic process, pathological process
(derivation) metastasize, metastasise
2. the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life
(synonym) metabolism, metabolic process
(hypernym) organic process, biological process
(hyponym) respiration, internal respiration, cellular respiration
(part-meronym) anabolism, constructive metabolism
(classification) organism, being

n. metastasis, transference of disease producing organisms from one part of the body to another via blood vessels (Pathology); rapid change from one subject to another (Rhetoric); change in position or orbit of an elementary particle (Physics)