Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the bloodstream or the lymph system.

Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases

Whether or not cancer cells metastasize (spread to) to other parts of the body depends on many factors, including:

• The type of cancer
• The stage of the cancer
• Original location of the cancer

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

Images

Lymph node metastases, CT scan

Spleen metastasis - CT scan

Liver metastases, CT scan

Kidney metastases, CT scan

Review Date: 11/14/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)