Tumor metastasis, the main biological characteristic of malignance tumor, is the important cause of death for most cancer patients. The process of tumor metastasis is complex and involves a dynamic combination of vessel, lymphatic system and microenvironment of metastatic organ. Organ specific arrest and adhesion of tumor cells within microvessels of potential target organs is a vital step during the formation of blood borne metastasis. In this article, recent studies on the organ specific arrest and adhesion of circulating tumor cells were comprehensively summarized focusing on the related theory, hypothesis and methodology including the model employed and the research methods involved. The article also discussed the biomechanical factors, endothelial cells and chemokines regulating the arrest and adhesion of circulating tumor cells, and pointed out some recent new phenomena as well as new approaches and directions worthy of investigation.