Overview

Although distant metastases are the most dreaded situation in the evolution of cancer of every organ, the medical literature has surprisingly given little attention to the anatomical relationship between the primary tumor and metastasic sites. Only risk factors, treatment possibilities, and survival results are extensively examined. Stimulated by the occurrence in his practice of some puzzling and unexpected metastases, the author reviewed more than 12,000 references. He looked for anatomical relationships highlighting the relation between the location of the primary tumors and the particular patterns of metastasis observed. It would seem that the `pathways and flows' are apparently a more decisive factor in the implantation of the metastases than the `seed and soil' properties of the cancer cells and the metastatic site. Aided by his colleague Dr. T. Geukens, M.D., the author includes original anatomical drawings, illustrating the sometimes unexpected pathways the cancer cells follow in order to reach the organs where they will become lodged and give rise to metastatic tumors. The subject has apparently not been exhausted in the literature and several ideas are given for further research.

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9789401741347

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Reviews

This book will be of value to those learning about malignant disease and wanting to gain insight into the patterns of spread of primary malignancies. In addition, the first part of the book is useful in reviewing the likely origins of metastatic disease in the various sites. It provides a wealth of information and references on the subject of metastatic disease and would be a useful addition to the library of any department dealing with the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of malignant disease. (Mr P. Allan, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh)

Author Information

Dr. J.M. Debois is a retired radiation oncologist with forty years of academic and private practice. He has published two other books and more than a hundred articles, of which several appeared in peer-reviewed periodicals, case reports and reviews.

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