Correct Option
Metastasis is the pathological process where cancer cells detach from the primary tumor and spread to distant sites in the body. This dissemination typically occurs via the circulatory (bloodstream) or lymphatic systems. Upon reaching a new location, these cells can proliferate and establish secondary tumors, also known as metastatic tumors. This process is a hallmark of malignant cancers and significantly complicates treatment and prognosis.
Incorrect Options
Option (a): Rapid cell division is a characteristic feature of cancer cells (uncontrolled proliferation), but metastasis specifically refers to the spread of these cells from their original site to other parts of the body, not merely their division rate.
Option (c): This describes a phase of cell division called mitosis, specifically the attachment of chromosomes to the spindle fibers before anaphase. This is a fundamental process in normal cell reproduction and is unrelated to the spread of cancer.
Option (d): Inhibiting cancer cells from further division is a therapeutic objective in cancer treatment, aiming to halt tumor growth. It is not the definition or description of metastasis, which is the natural process of cancer spread.