In order to further understand the role of the host organ in tumor progression, we have transplanted into nude mice histologically intact human colon cancer tissue on the serosal layers of the stomach (heterotopic site) and the serosal layers of the colon (orthotopic site). Xenograft lines Co-3, which is well differentiated, and poorly differentiated COL-3-JCK were used for transplantation. After orthotopic transplantation of the human colon tumors on the nude mouse colon, the growing colon tumor resulted in macroscopically extensive invasive local growth in 4 of 10 mice, serosal spreading in 9 of 10 mice, musclaris propria invasion in 1 of 10 mice, submucosal invasion in 3 of 10 mice, mucosal invasion in 3 of 10 mice, lymphatic duct invasion in 4 of 10 mice, regional lymph node metastasis in 4 of 10 mice, and liver metastasis in 1 of 10 mice. In striking contrast, after heterotopic transplantation of the human colon tumor on the nude mouse stomach, a large growing tumor resulted but with only limited invasive growth and without serosal spreading, lymphatic duct invasion, or regional lymph node metastasis. It has become clear from these studies that the orthotopic site, in particular the serosal and subserosal transplant surface, is critical to the growth, spread, and invasive and metastatic capability of the implanted colon tumor in nude mice. These studies suggest that the original host organ plays the same critical role in tumor progression.