Wittekind Christian, Neid Matthias
Institut fur Pathologie, Universitatsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland.
Oncology. 2005;69 Suppl 1:14-6. doi: 10.1159/000086626. Epub 2005 Sep 19.
Metastasis is the transfer of malignant tumors from one organ to a distant organ. It is the most common cause of death in cancer patients. Different molecular mechanisms enable tumor cells to infiltrate the surrounding tissue, invade blood vessels and leave the blood stream at a different site. Tumor cell interaction with extracellular matrix components and epithelial-mesenchymal transition as well as angiogenesis are important factors in invasion and metastasis. Gene expression profiles of metastatic cells in various organs are different and not every tumor cell has the capacity to metastasize. The microenvironment in the organ influences formation of metastasis. Only 1% of micrometastases progress into macrometastases.
转移是指恶性肿瘤从一个器官转移至远处器官。它是癌症患者最常见的死亡原因。不同的分子机制使肿瘤细胞能够浸润周围组织、侵入血管并在不同部位离开血流。肿瘤细胞与细胞外基质成分的相互作用、上皮-间质转化以及血管生成是侵袭和转移的重要因素。不同器官中转移细胞的基因表达谱各不相同，并非每个肿瘤细胞都有转移能力。器官中的微环境会影响转移的形成。只有1%的微转移会发展为大转移。
