Metastasis (SECONDARY SPREAD OF CANCER) is the most devastating aspect of malignant disease, and the major cause of treatment failures. Patients who have had their primary tumor successfully eradicated may succumb months or years later to multiple metastases for which the only treatment available is systemic chemotherapy. There is an urgent need for better means of diagnosing and treating disseminated disease, which will only come from a greater understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms.

THE METASTASIS RESEARCH SOCIETY is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promote the exchange of information and furtherance of research into all aspects of metastasis, from the molecular bases of tumor cell invasion to clinical management of disseminated cancer. This unique Society commits itself to providing a forum for scientists and clinicians from all over the world with interests in any aspect of the metastatic process. These aims are primarily realized by the organization of major Metastasis Research Society Congresses held every two years, alternating in the Western and Eastern hemispheres, and by publication of high quality, peer-reviewed research papers and reviews in the official journals of the Society, Clinical and Experimental Metastasis and Cancer and Metastasis Reviews.

Excellence in the field is recognized by the Paget-Ewing Award.  The Paget-Ewing Award is named after Sir Stephen Paget and Dr. James Ewing, pioneers in metastasis research in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who proposed the two major theories to explain organ selectivity of metastasis. The Paget-Ewing Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Metastasis Research Society and honors a person's scientific excellence and substantial contributions to the understanding and/or control of cancer metastasis.

As the Society grows, it is intended to increase the frequency of Conferences, to encourage small, interim workshops on special topics, and to foster the exchange of personnel between research laboratories world-wide. We also hope to increase awareness of the importance of metastasis research in the general public and also government and funding agencies.

Click here to see a listing of the current Board of Directors.