Stephen Paget and the ‘seed and soil’ theory of metastatic dissemination (original) (raw)

Abstract

The outcome of cancer metastasis depends on multiple interactions between selected metastatic cells and homeostatic mechanisms unique to some organ microenvironments. The English surgeon Stephen Paget (1855–1926) is credited with being the first to postulate the important role played by microenvironment in metastasis formation. The concept of his ‘seed and soil’ theory has been supported and confirmed by numerous publications. This review article summarises the most important literature data about this matter.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Policlinico, I-70124, Bari, Italy
    D. Ribatti
  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
    G. Mangialardi & A. Vacca

Authors

  1. D. Ribatti
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. G. Mangialardi
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. A. Vacca
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toD. Ribatti.

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ribatti, D., Mangialardi, G. & Vacca, A. Stephen Paget and the ‘seed and soil’ theory of metastatic dissemination.Clin. Exper.Med. 6, 145–149 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-006-0117-4

Download citation

Key words