Describe the process of cancer metastasis.

The spread of cancer cells to distant organs accurately reflects the process of cancer metastasis. Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish new tumors in other parts of the body. This ability to invade and colonize new tissues is a hallmark of malignant tumors and distinguishes them from benign tumors, which do not metastasize.

Understanding metastasis is crucial in oncology because it significantly influences the prognosis and treatment options for patients. For example, the presence of metastatic disease can indicate a more advanced stage of cancer, often requiring systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or targeted therapies, rather than localized treatments like surgery or radiation.

In contrast, the other processes mentioned do not relate directly to the concept of metastasis. Local growth of cells refers only to the primary tumor's expansion without implying spread. Rapid division of cancer cells describes uncontrolled proliferation but does not encompass the movement of cells to distant sites. Complete destruction of tumor cells suggests an ideal outcome of treatment but does not represent the process of cancer metastasis itself.