Pulmonary Metastasis
Metastatic malignant neoplasms are the most common form of secondary lung tumors. These are neoplastic lesions originating at a site that is distinct from the primary lesion. Due to the lung’s tremendous blood and lymphatic supply, it is a frequent site for metastatic cancer. Any cancer can metastasize to the lungs, but there are known neoplasms which commonly spread to the lungs. Chest radiography is still recommended as the initial imaging procedure for the evaluation for possible pulmonary metastases, but conventional CT scanning of the chest and PET are superior in the detection of pulmonary nodules and mediastinal lymph node involvement. Transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) remains the initial procedure for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodule(s). VATS (video assisted thoracoscopy) is accepted as a successful diagnostic and curative-diagnostic method. Chemotherapy remains the treatment of choice for advanced cancer, but in certain circumstances of limited spread, surgical resection with curative intent is successful. The outcome and prognosis vary depending on the cancer’s site of origin. Nearly all predictive information can be obtained through histologic studies.