NEWS Health News Word of the Week: Metastatic By Team Verywell Health Updated on August 13, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Share Tweet Email Print Alex Dos Diaz / Verywell Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Word of the Week: Metastatic How to say it: Metastatic (met-ah-STAH-tick) What it means: When the cause of a disease (such as cancer cells) moves from the place where it first started to other places in the body. Where it comes from: From the Latin methistanhi, meaning "to change." Yale Rosen/Wikimedia Commons Where you might see or hear it: If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer in one organ and it spreads to another, your doctor will use the term "metastatic" to describe cancer. When you might want to use it: If you have cancer and your doctor tells you that it has spread, you can explain to your friends and family that they might hear the term "metastatic" or "metastases" used to describe how your cancer has progressed. Where Breast Cancer Can Spread Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Merriam-Webster. Definition of Metastases. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit