Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2017 , Vol 27 , Num 2
Molecular Mechanisms of Metastases
Ethem GÖKSU1,Saim KAZAN1
1Akdeniz Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Beyin ve Sinir Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, Antalya, Türkiye Metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic cancer. To improve the treatments, one must first understand the biology of the metastatic process. The aim of this review is to summarize the most up to date understanding of the metastatic process. The mobilization of tumor cells from their site of origin, their migration to the brain and formation of metastatic lesions is called the "metastatic process". This paper will discuss the molecular processes of metastasis. The metastatic process starts with the epithelial to mesenchymal transition which is followed by local invasion. When tumor cells access the vasculature they can reach their distal metastatic site. The metastatic process involves migration and colonization. Migration consists of intravasation, dissemination and extravasation. Further growth at the metastatic site depends on the interaction between tumor cells and the brain microenvironment. Better understanding of the metastatic process is important to design better preventive and therapeutic methods. Anahtar Kelimeler : Cancer, Brain metastasis, Metastatic process