Which term describes the spread of cancer to locations distant from the original site?

Which term describes the spread of cancer to locations distant from the original site?

• A. Regression
• B. Hyperplasia
• C. Inflammation
• D. Metastasis

Answer: (D)

The spread of cancer to distant sites is called metastasis. This process involves cancer cells breaking away from the original tumor, traveling through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establishing new tumors in organs far from where the cancer began. This is what makes cancer more dangerous and guides treatment decisions. The other terms describe different things: regression means the tumor shrinks or disappears; hyperplasia is an increase in cell number within a tissue; inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection, not the spread of cancer. For example, breast cancer cells can metastasize to bone, liver, or lung, forming secondary tumors.

The spread of cancer to distant sites is called metastasis. This process involves cancer cells breaking away from the original tumor, traveling through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establishing new tumors in organs far from where the cancer began. This is what makes cancer more dangerous and guides treatment decisions. The other terms describe different things: regression means the tumor shrinks or disappears; hyperplasia is an increase in cell number within a tissue; inflammation is the body's response to injury or infection, not the spread of cancer. For example, breast cancer cells can metastasize to bone, liver, or lung, forming secondary tumors.