You use invasive to describe something undesirable which spreads very quickly and which is very difficult to stop from spreading.
They found invasive cancer during a routine examination.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An invasive medical procedure involves operating on a patient or examining the inside of their body.
Many people find the idea of any kind of invasive surgery unbearable.
invasive in British English
(ɪnˈveɪsɪv)
adjective
1.
of or relating to an invasion, intrusion, etc
2.
relating to or denoting cancer at the stage at which it has spread from its site of origin to other tissues
3.
(of surgery) involving making a relatively large incision in the body to gain access to the target of the surgery, as opposed to making a small incision or gaining access endoscopically through a natural orifice
Derived forms
invasively (inˈvasively)
adverb
invasive in American English
(ɪnˈveɪsɪv)
adjective
1.
of or having to do with invasion or an invasion
an invasive military force, invasive weeds
2. Medicine
a.
tending to spread into healthy tissue
an invasive tumor
b.
penetrating into the body
an invasive diagnostic instrument
Examples of 'invasive' in a sentence
invasive
But online crime seems far less invasive and divisive because it targets all social classes and regions equally.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was quite invasive surgery and it took about two weeks to recover.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The most worrying element in all of this is the growing accessibility of invasive cosmetic procedures.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They are keen to find ways to stay looking young that are cheaper and less invasive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is now clear that she was already in the midst of invasive and troubling surgery.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The researchers will also need to find a less invasive way of taking fluid from the abdomen.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The counterintuitive option was at once less invasive and more efficient.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The collars are much cheaper and less invasive and damaging than drugs.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is much less invasive than standard liposuction.
The Sun (2007)
Any advancement which could produce similar benefits with a less invasive procedure would be hugely beneficial to patients.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One of the less invasive techniques is to put an adjustable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This is now the classic technique for hair transplants and tends to give the best outcome of all the invasive procedures.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He is a pioneer of minimally invasive surgery and has been conducting a review of London healthcare.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In 2006 she had invasive surgery followed by radiation treatment.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The less invasive procedure is being carried out in elderly patients at leading heart centres across Britain.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
After all, who wouldn't want a lift without the invasive surgery or hospital downtime?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Only cells are transplanted, rather than the entire organ, and so the treatment is minimally invasive.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Experts now claim that although the surgery is minimally invasive, there may still be complications and these risks must be weighed against benefits to the patient.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
invasive
British English: invasive ADJECTIVE
You use invasive to describe something undesirable which spreads very quickly and which is very difficult to stop from spreading.
They found invasive cancer during a routine examination.