What does "metastasis" refer to in cancer terminology?

Metastasis refers specifically to the spread of cancer from its original or primary site to other locations in the body. This process is a critical characteristic of cancer progression and indicates a more advanced stage of the disease, often associated with greater complexity in treatment and management.

When cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, they can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to establish new tumors in distant organs. This ability to invade other tissues and continue to grow is what makes metastatic cancer particularly challenging to treat and is often a sign of poor prognosis.

Understanding metastasis is crucial for oncologists and healthcare professionals as it influences treatment decisions, staging of the cancer, and ultimately, the management strategy for the patient. The other options defined different aspects of cancer but do not accurately capture the definition of metastasis.