carcinomatosis
(KAR-sih-NOH-muh-TOH-sis)
A serious condition in which cancer cells from an original (primary) tumor spread to form many tumors throughout the body or to a large area of the body. In most cases, carcinomatosis is a sign that the cancer is getting worse and cannot be cured. The most common types of carcinomatosis are leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (affects the thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord), lymphangitic carcinomatosis (usually affects the lungs), and peritoneal carcinomatosis (affects the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen). Also called carcinosis.