[The histology of the primary tumor and metastatic behavior. The implications for the radio-oncologist with examples]

In the past, little attention has been given to the relationship of the histology of a primary tumor to its possible subsequent pattern of metastasis. The knowledge of these relations, however, is of importance for the radio-oncologist for several reasons.

A review on the relation between the histology of a primary tumor and the pattern of subsequent metastasis has been worked out. The review is based on references personally collected during the past 25 years, a MEDLINE screen (1988 to 1997) and own analyses related to the topic.

Strong relationships seem to exist between the histology of certain primary tumors and their subsequent pattern of metastasis. Examples demonstrate those relations which are presently known about the main solid tumors of the upper part of the body and the skin. Some implications for the radio-oncologist were pointed out.

Besides a better understanding of a disease, the use of these data may be helpful for treatment planning and decision findings in conformal radiotherapy. Moreover, the data are of considerable importance to the follow-up of patients: imaging procedures may be more accurately applied in the areas with a high probability of recurrence or metastasis.