How to Pronounce Metastatic Cardiac Tumor

Say it like this: meh-tah-STAT-ik KAR-dee-ak TOO-mer. The stress falls on the third syllable of 'metastatic' (STAT), and on the first syllable of 'cardiac' (KAR). Think of it as three separate words, and remember that 'cardiac' rhymes with 'guard' + 'ee' + 'ak.'

'Metastatic' means cancer that has spread from one place in the body to another. When you hear 'metastatic,' think 'spread' or 'traveled.'

'Cardiac' is a medical word that simply means 'related to the heart.' You've probably heard it in the phrase 'cardiac arrest' or in the word 'cardiologist' (a heart doctor).

'Tumor' refers to an abnormal growth of cells in the body. It's a general term that doesn't tell you whether the growth is serious or not—it just means there's a lump or mass present.

It means cancer that started somewhere else in the body and has spread to the heart. In other words, it's a secondary tumor—one that traveled to the heart rather than starting there.

Many people stress the wrong syllable in 'metastatic'—they say meh-tuh-stat-IK (stressing the last syllable) instead of the correct meh-tah-STAT-ik (stressing the third syllable). Remember: the stress goes on STAT, not on ik.

Break it down like this: me-ta-STAT-ic (4 syllables). The third syllable, STAT, is the loudest one when you say the word.

Sometimes doctors use the abbreviation MCT for 'metastatic cardiac tumor,' but you'll still hear the full term used often. MCT is pronounced by saying each letter: M-C-T.

A 'metastatic cardiac tumor' is cancer that spread TO the heart from elsewhere, while a 'primary cardiac tumor' would be cancer that started in the heart itself. The word 'primary' means 'first' or 'original place.'