Lung-Seeking Metastases

Abstract

Metastases from different cancer types most often affect the lung parenchyma. Moreover, the lungs are among the most frequent sites of growth of metastatic masses of uncertain/unknown lineage of origin. Thus, with regards to pulmonary neoplastic parenchymal nodules, the critical issue is to determine if they are IN the lung or OF the lung. In this review, we highlight the clinical, instrumental and molecular features which characterize lung metastases, mainly focusing on recently advancing and emerging concepts regarding the metastatic niche, inflammation, angiogenesis, immune modulation and gene expression. A novel issue is related to the analysis of biomechanical forces which cooperate in the expansion of tumor masses in the lungs. We here aim to analyze the biological, genetic and pathological features of metastatic lesions to the lungs, here referred to as site of metastatic growth. This point should be a crucial part of the algorithm for a proper diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the era of personalized medicine.

Transdiaphragmatic Single-Port Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery; a Novel Approach for Pulmonary Metastasectomy through Laparotomy Incision – Case Series

“…It has been reported that the lung is the second most common site of metastatic focus for almost 25-54% of malignancies developing elsewhere in the body [7] with colorectal, head and neck, and urological tumors having the highest frequencies [8]. Throughout medical history, the emergence of pulmonary metastasectomy has been described as incidental and fortuitous dating back to 1927, when Tudor Edwards described a sublobar resection of a metastatic lower limb sarcoma [4], followed by the rst cohort of 25 patients at Memorial Hospital undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy with either a solitary lung lesion or multiple metastases but con ned to one lung with an unfortunate 10 out of 25 patients surviving more than ve years [5].…”

Inhaled cytotoxic chemotherapy: clinical challenges, recent developments, and future prospects

“…Inhaled cytotoxic chemotherapy is an approach that is promising for treating localized pulmonary tumors. Pulmonary tumors are usually detected by imaging techniques such as chest radiography, chest computed-tomography after infusion with contrast material and/or positron emission tomography using radiolabelled fluorodeoxyglucose 18 F-FDG [1][2][3][4]. Diagnosis requires mostly biopsy for histological evaluation including immunohistochemistry [1,3,4].…”

“…Pulmonary tumors are usually detected by imaging techniques such as chest radiography, chest computed-tomography after infusion with contrast material and/or positron emission tomography using radiolabelled fluorodeoxyglucose 18 F-FDG [1][2][3][4]. Diagnosis requires mostly biopsy for histological evaluation including immunohistochemistry [1,3,4]. Biopsy is currently made using fiber-optic bronchoscopy for centrally located lesions and mediastinal lymph nodes, percutaneous computed-tomography guided biopsy for peripheral lung nodules, or after surgical resection [3].…”

“…Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of primary lung cancers and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents 15% [1,2]. Distant lung metastases come from primary extra-thoracic cancers such as colorectal, breast, prostate, bladder, head and neck, bone, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, melanoma, thyroid, and testicular cancers [3][4][5]. Some are more localized in the conducting zone of the lung (e.g.…”

Human-specific GAPDH RT-qPCR is an accurate and sensitive method of xenograft metastasis quantification

“…Metastasis is the predominant cause of cancer-related mortality, responsible for approximately 90% of all cancer deaths (1). It is a multistep process wherein cancer cells at the site of origin spread to secondary tissues and organs; the lungs are a common site of metastasis in a wide range of cancers (2).…”