metastases Definition

metastasis
noun metastases

1. The spread of a disease, especially of a malignant tumour, from one part of the body to another via the bloodstream or lymphatic system, or across a body cavity.
2. A secondary tumour resulting from the spread of a malignant disease in this way.

Etymology: 17c; 16c in the sense ‘transition' or ‘rapid removal from one place to another': Greek, meaning ‘change of place'.