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What does metastasis refer to in medical terms?

  1. Spread of bacteria

  2. Spread of cancer cells

  3. Spread of viruses

  4. Spread of toxins

The correct answer is: Spread of cancer cells

Metastasis specifically refers to the process by which cancer cells spread from the primary tumor to distant parts of the body. This occurs when cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic system, and form new (secondary) tumors in other organs or tissues. This characteristic is a key feature of malignant tumors and is critical in the evaluation of the severity of cancer. Understanding metastasis is essential in veterinary medicine, particularly in oncology, as it affects treatment options and prognosis for pets diagnosed with cancer. The other choices involve the spread of pathogens or harmful substances but do not capture the specific biological process associated with cancer.