metastasis

Definition

The spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to distant body sites via blood or lymph. When cancer decides one location isn't enough and goes on a hostile takeover tour.

Example Usage

Imaging revealed liver metastasis from the patient's primary lung cancer, upstaging the disease to stage IV.

Origin

From Greek 'meta' (beyond) and 'stasis' (standing)

Fun Fact

About 90% of cancer deaths are caused by metastasis rather than the primary tumor—location hopping is what makes cancer truly deadly.

Source: Oncology terminology

Related Terms

Advanced

Cachexia

Severe weight loss and muscle wasting seen in advanced disease, particularly cancer. The body's scorched-earth policy when illness takes control.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Intermediate

pruritus

The medical term for itching, because scratching deserves Latin dignity. It ranges from mildly annoying to severely debilitating and can indicate conditions from dry skin to liver failure.

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Advanced

pylori

Short for Helicobacter pylori, a sneaky spiral-shaped bacterium that colonizes your stomach lining and causes ulcers, proving that not all stomach problems are from stress and spicy food. This microscopic troublemaker was discovered in 1982, overturning decades of medical wisdom and winning its discoverers a Nobel Prize. It's the reason your doctor might prescribe antibiotics for your stomach pain instead of just telling you to relax.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Intermediate

neurology

The medical specialty dedicated to your brain, spinal cord, and the intricate web of nerves that make you function—or malfunction, as the case may be. Neurologists are the detectives of the nervous system, investigating why you can't remember where you put your keys or why your hand randomly tingles. It's basically IT support for your body's central processing unit.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Advanced

myopathy

A catch-all term for muscle diseases that aren't caused by nerve problems, because apparently your muscles can malfunction all on their own without your nervous system's help. These conditions make your muscles weak and uncooperative, proving that even your body parts have trust issues. Think of it as your muscles going rogue, but not in a cool superhero way.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

Advanced

roentgenology

The antiquated term for radiology, named after Wilhelm Röntgen who discovered X-rays and apparently earned eternal naming rights. It's the medical field of using radiation to diagnose diseases, now called radiology by anyone under 80. If your doctor uses this term, they either went to medical school in the 1940s or are being deliberately pretentious.

🏥 Healthcare / Medical

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