This document discusses the process of invasion and metastasis in malignant tumors. It is divided into two phases: 1) Invasion of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and 2) Vascular dissemination, homing of tumor cells, and colonization. Invasion of the ECM initiates the metastatic cascade and is an active, multi-step process involving changes in tumor cell interactions, degradation of the ECM, attachment to novel ECM components, and migration of tumor cells. Genetic changes can bring about metastatic potential in tumors by altering genes that regulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or function as "metastasis oncogenes" or "metastatic suppressors". Common sites of hematogenous metastatic deposits include the