Advanced
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
oligometastatic disease
Pronunciation: OH-li-go-met-ah-STAT-ik
Cancer with limited metastatic spread that may be amenable to curative-intent local therapies.
Full Definition
A clinical state characterized by a limited number of metastatic lesions (typically 1-5) that are potentially curable through aggressive local treatments such as surgical resection or ablation. Oligometastatic disease represents an intermediate state between localized and widely disseminated cancer. Patients with this pattern may benefit from metastasectomy or stereotactic radiation rather than systemic therapy alone, potentially achieving long-term survival or cure.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'oligoprogression' which refers to limited progression during systemic therapy.
In Context
- "The patient's oligometastatic disease to the liver was treated with hepatic resection." — Multidisciplinary conference
- "Oligometastatic lung lesions were addressed with stereotactic ablative radiation." — Treatment summary
Also known as
limited metastatic disease
oligomets
Contrasted with
polymetastatic disease
disseminated disease
Don't confuse with
oligoprogression
minimal residual disease