What does it mean when they say your cancer has metastasized?

Answer by  Ginny (2251)

It means the cancer has spread to normal tissue in another part or organ. Breast cancer can spread to the lungs, for instance, in which case the cancer cells in the lungs are still cells from the breast and not lung cancer cells. Abnormal cells can be spread through the blood or lymph nodes.

Answer by  John (9008)

When a cancer metastasizes, it means that it has moved beyond the initial organ infected to spread throughout the body. In other words, if a breast cancer has metastasized, it has spread to other parts of the woman's body beyond her breast. It is a very bad sign. A cure may still be possible, but the outlook is grim.

Answer by  jerbe (77)

It means that her cancer has now spread to other parts of her body, maybe her lymph nodes, other organs, etc. It may be in other areas, but it will still be called "breast cancer" and they will treat her based on where it has spread.

Answer by  CarolynOsborne (2804)

When a cancer metastatized, that means that the cancer has spread to other places in the bod. Unfortunately, cancer that has spread is much more difficult to treat.