What is a possible complication associated with a malignant tumor?

Metastasis is a common and significant complication associated with malignant tumors. This process refers to the ability of cancer cells to spread from the original (primary) site to distant parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. When metastasis occurs, it can lead to the development of secondary tumors in other organs, complicating treatment and worsening the overall prognosis for the patient.

This ability to metastasize is what distinguishes malignant tumors from benign tumors, which typically do not invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. The presence of metastasis often indicates a more advanced stage of cancer and can significantly influence treatment decisions and outcomes. For example, a patient with metastatic cancer may require more aggressive treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation, aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.

In contrast, while regrowth, inflammation, and fibrosis could occur in various contexts related to tumors, they do not specifically characterize the aggressive behavior of malignant tumors in the same way that metastasis does. Regrowth may relate to the recurrence of tumor after treatment, inflammation can occur in response to tumor growth but is not a defining characteristic of malignancy, and fibrosis is often a repair process following damage rather than a direct outcome of malignant behavior. Thus, the risk