Secondary Tumour - GCSE Biology Definition

Reviewed by: Lára Marie McIvor

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A secondary tumour is a tumour that forms when cancer cells spread from the original (primary) tumour to another part of the body. This happens through a process called metastasis, where cancer cells travel in the bloodstream or lymphatic system and begin growing in a new location, such as the lungs, liver, or bones. Although the secondary tumour grows in a different organ, it is made of the same type of cancer cells as the primary tumour. Understanding secondary tumours is important for learning how cancer spreads in the body.

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Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewer: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

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