Invasion vs. Metastasis — What's the Difference?

An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering; liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a territory; forcing the partition of a country; altering the established government or gaining concessions from said government; or a combination thereof. An invasion can be the cause of a war, be a part of a larger strategy to end a war, or it can constitute an entire war in itself.

Metastasis is a pathogenic agent's spread from an initial or primary site to a different or secondary site within the host's body; the term is typically used when referring to metastasis by a cancerous tumor. The newly pathological sites, then, are metastases (mets).

The act of invading, especially the entrance of an armed force into a territory to conquer.

Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms or cancerous cells from an original site to one or more sites elsewhere in the body, usually by way of the blood vessels or lymphatics.

The entry into bodily tissue and subsequent proliferation of an injurious entity, such as a pathogen or tumor.

A secondary cancerous growth formed by transmission of cancerous cells from a primary growth located elsewhere in the body.

An intrusion or encroachment

A change in nature, form, or quality.

A military action consisting of armed forces of one geopolitical entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of conquering territory or altering the established government.

(medicine) The transference of a bodily function or disease to another part of the body, specifically the development of a secondary area of disease remote from the original site, as with some cancers.

The entry without consent of an individual or group into an area where they are not wanted.

(metaphor) The spread of a harmful event to another location, like the metastasis of a cancer.

(medicine) The spread of cancer cells, bacteries and such to the organism.

(rhetoric) Denying adversaries' arguments and turning the arguments back on them.

(surgery) The breaching of the skin barrier.

A spiritual change, as during baptism.

The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.

A change in the location of a disease, as from one part to another.

A warlike or hostile entrance into the possessions or domains of another; the incursion of an army for conquest or plunder.

The migration of cancerous or malignant cells from the site of their origin to other parts of the body. Such cells may migrate to multiple new locations, making therapy more difficult and often leading to death.

The incoming or first attack of anything hurtful or pernicious; as, the invasion of a disease.

The act or process by which matter is taken up by cells or tissues and is transformed into other matter; in plants, the act or process by which are produced all of those chemical changes in the constituents of the plant which are not accompanied by a production of organic matter; metabolism.

The act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder

The spreading of a disease to another part of the body

Any entry into an area not previously occupied;

The organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life

(pathology) the spread of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells to new sites in the body;