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Metastasis is a complex sequence of processes that take place when a tumor cell exits the primary
tumor, and establishes a secondary tumor by traveling to a distant site via the circulatory system. The complex
process of metastasis depends on various components for successful dissemination and tumor cell growth at a
secondary site. Metastatic processes include: (1) neoplastic progression, (2) angiogenesis, (3) migration and
invasion, (4) intravasation, (5) circulation and embolism, (6) extravasation, and (7) metastatic tumor establishment
in the target tissue. In this chapter we will discuss the steps involved in the complex process of tumor metastasis
and the molecular mechanisms that underly each one of these steps.
Metastasis, primary tumor, tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, invasion, epithelial mesenchymal
transition, extravasation, tumor establishment, apoptosis, tumor dormancy.
Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.