metastasis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Technical (primarily medical/scientific)
Quick answer
What does “metastasis” mean?
The spread of cancer cells from their original site to other parts of the body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The spread of cancer cells from their original site to other parts of the body.
A secondary or derivative growth, development, or effect. Can be used metaphorically to describe the spread or transfer of any phenomenon (e.g., ideas, problems) to a new site.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or core usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.
Connotations
Universally negative and serious due to association with advanced cancer.
Frequency
Equally frequent in medical discourse in both regions. Extremely rare in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “metastasis” in a Sentence
metastasis to [organ]metastasis from [primary site]metastasis of [cancer type]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metastasis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tumour cells can metastasise via the bloodstream.
- By the time it was found, the cancer had already metastasised.
American English
- The tumor cells can metastasize via the bloodstream.
- By the time it was found, the cancer had already metastasized.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form; 'metastatically' is not used.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form; 'metastatically' is not used.]
adjective
British English
- Metastatic disease requires systemic treatment.
- The scan showed metastatic deposits in the spine.
American English
- Metastatic disease requires systemic treatment.
- The scan showed metastatic deposits in the spine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Standard in oncology, pathology, and biology papers. Rare figurative use in social sciences (e.g., 'metastasis of an ideology').
Everyday
Only used when discussing a serious medical diagnosis.
Technical
Core term in medicine with precise staging (M0 = no distant metastasis, M1 = distant metastasis present).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metastasis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metastasis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metastasis”
- Using 'metastasis' as a verb (incorrect: 'The cancer metastasised to the liver' uses the verb 'metastasize').
- Mispronouncing the plural as 'metastasises' instead of 'metastases' (muh-TASS-tuh-seez).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'metastasis' is a noun. The related verb is 'metastasize' (US) / 'metastasise' (UK).
Very rarely. It is overwhelmingly a medical term. Figurative use (e.g., 'the metastasis of misinformation') is possible in advanced academic writing but is not common.
They are often used synonymously in lay terms. Technically, 'metastasis' refers to the process of spreading, while the new tumours themselves are 'metastases' or 'secondary tumours'.
In both UK and US English, it is commonly pronounced /mɪˈtæstəsiːz/ or /məˈtæstəsiːz/, with the stress on the second syllable.
The spread of cancer cells from their original site to other parts of the body.
Metastasis is usually formal; technical (primarily medical/scientific) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the word itself is technical]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: META (change) + STASIS (standing still) = cancer cells changing their place from standing still in one spot to moving to new spots.
Conceptual Metaphor
CANCER IS AN INVADER / TRAVELLER (Cells 'travel' or 'seed' new colonies in distant organs).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of 'metastasis'?