A patient with a history of cancer is surprised to learn that new cancer has been diagnosed in another body part. The nurse realizes that this patient is most likely experiencing which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Metastasis is the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another. So, when a patient with a history of cancer is diagnosed with new cancer in another body part, it's most likely due to metastasis. Contact inhibition is a mechanism by which cells stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells. Destructive force from a benign neoplasm is not likely to cause cancer in another body part. A solid mass may be a sign of cancer, but it alone cannot determine if the cancer has metastasized.

A Patient with a History of Cancer Is Surprised to Learn