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Wnt5a is a noncanonical signaling member of the wingless-related/mouse mammary tumor virus integration family, which is involved in a wide range of cellular processes, particularly in cancer development and metastasis. Accumulating evidence indicates that Wnt5a exhibits paradoxical effects in various types of cancer metastasis. Therefore, the Wnt5a signaling cascade in cancer metastasis appears to be complex and may depend on binding receptors, downstream effectors, exogenous inhibitors and tumor microenvironments, as well as the extracellular matrix, particularly cell/tissue-tropic contexts. The aim of the present study was to summarize the previous findings on the roles of Wnt5a and the potential mechanisms in various types of cancer metastasis. Furthermore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that Wnt5a and the involved signaling pathways may become molecular targets in the treatment of cancer metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]