Lung metastases

Definition

Lung metastases are cancerous tumors that start somewhere else in the body and spread to the lungs.

Alternative Names

Metastases to the lung; Metastatic cancer to the lung; Lung cancer - metastases; Lung mets

Causes

Metastatic tumors in the lungs are cancers that developed at other places in the body (or other parts of the lungs). They then spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to the lungs. It is different than lung cancer that starts in the lungs.

Video: Lung cancer

Nearly any cancer can spread to the lungs. Common cancers include:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Melanoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Sarcoma
• Thyroid cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Testicular cancer

Symptoms

Symptoms may include any of the following:

• Bloody sputum
• Chest pain
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine you and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Tests that may be done include:

• Bronchoscopy to view the airways
• Chest CT scan
• Chest x-ray
• Cytologic studies of pleural fluid or sputum
• Lung needle biopsy
• Surgery to take a sample of tissue from the lungs (surgical lung biopsy)

Treatment

Chemotherapy is used to treat metastatic cancer to the lung. Surgery to remove the tumors may be done when any of the following occurs:

• The cancer has spread to only limited areas of the lung
• The lung tumors can be completely removed with surgery

However, the main tumor must be curable, and the person must be strong enough to go through the surgery and recovery.

Other treatments include:

• Radiation therapy
• The placement of stents inside the airways
• Laser therapy
• Using local heat probes to destroy the area
• Using very cold temperature to destroy the area

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

Outlook (Prognosis)

A cure is unlikely in most cases of cancers that have spread to the lungs. But the outlook depends on the main cancer. In rare cases, a person can live more than 5 years with metastatic cancer to the lungs.

You and your family may want to start thinking about end-of-life planning, such as:

• Palliative care
• Hospice care
• Advance care directives
• Health care agents

Possible Complications

Complications of metastatic tumors in the lungs may include:

• Fluid between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion), which can cause shortness of breath or pain when taking a deep breath
• Further spread of the cancer
• Side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your provider if you have a history of cancer and you develop:

• Coughing up blood
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss

Prevention

Not all cancers can be prevented. However, many can be prevented by:

• Eating healthy foods
• Exercising regularly
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Not smoking

Images

References

Arenberg DA, Pickens A. Metastatic malignant tumors. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 55.

Hayman J, Naidoo J, Ettinger DS. Lung Metastases. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 57.

Putnam JB. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 57.