Metastasis

Information:

Definition:
Movement or spreading of diseased tissues from one organ or tissue to another. Disease is transferred throughout the body by the bloodstream, lymph system , or other fluids.
Secondary tumors in another area of the body may form, or nearby tissues may be taken over by the cancer cells.


A CT scan of the middle abdomen showing metastasis (cancer that has spread) in the left kidney in a patient with carcinoma of the lung. Note the large dark circular tumor in the kidney on the right side of the picture.



A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing multiple metastasis (cancer that has spread) in the liver of a patient with carcinoma of the large bowel. Note the dark areas in the liver (left side and center of picture).



A CT scan of the middle abdomen showing a large tumor mass due to metastasis (spreading cancer) in abdominal lymph nodes.



This CT scan of the upper abdomen shows multiple tumors in the liver and spleen that have spread (metastasized) from an original intestinal cancer (carcinoma).