[Metastasis to unusual sites].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• Pathology

Context:

• Metastasis is a leading cause of cancer mortality.
• Understanding the mechanisms of metastasis is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
• Cancer cells interact dynamically with their microenvironment during metastasis.

Purpose:

• To elucidate the mechanisms behind cancer organ tropism.
• To explain the development of unusual metastatic sites.
• To summarize known metastatic locations and their underlying mechanisms.

Summary:

• Metastasis, a multi-step process, drives most cancer deaths.
• Organ tropism, the tendency for cancers to spread to specific organs, is influenced by complex cell-microenvironment interactions.
• This review details mechanisms explaining both typical and unusual metastatic patterns and locations.

Impact:

• Provides a comprehensive overview of metastasis mechanisms.
• Highlights the importance of considering unusual metastatic sites in clinical diagnosis.
• Aids researchers and clinicians in understanding and potentially targeting metastatic spread.