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    Lung metastases

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

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

    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.

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

    Symptoms

    Symptoms may include any of the following:

    Exams and Tests

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

    Treatment

    Chemotherapy is often 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
    • Immunotherapy
    • Targeted systemic therapy
    • The placement of stents inside the airways
    • Laser therapy
    • Using local heat probes to destroy the cancer
    • Using very cold temperature to destroy the cancer

    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 some cases, a person can live more than 5 years with metastatic cancer to the lungs.

    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

    When to Contact a Medical Professional

    Contact 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
    Open References

    References

    Arenberg DA, Reddy RM. Metastatic malignant tumors. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 79.

    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.

    Wald O, Izhar U, Sugarbaker DJ. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 58.

      • Bronchoscopy

        Bronchoscopy - illustration

        Bronchoscopy is a surgical technique for viewing the interior of the airways. Using sophisticated flexible fiber optic instruments, surgeons are able to explore the trachea, main stem bronchi, and some of the small bronchi. In children, this procedure may be used to remove foreign objects that have been inhaled. In adults, the procedure is most often used to take samples of (biopsy) suspicious lesions and for culturing specific areas in the lung.

        Bronchoscopy

        illustration

      • Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

        Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray - illustration

        A lateral view of a chest x-ray in a patient with central cancer of the lung.

        Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

        illustration

      • Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

        Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray - illustration

        A chest x-ray in a patient with central cancer of the right lung. Notice the white mass in the middle portion of the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).

        Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

        illustration

      • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

        Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray - illustration

        This x-ray shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the upper right lung (seen as a light area on the left side of the picture). The nodule has distinct borders (well-defined) and is uniform in density. Tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases can cause this type of lesion.

        Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

        illustration

      • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

        Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan - illustration

        This CT scan shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the right lung. This nodule is seen as the light circle in the upper portion of the dark area on the left side of the picture. A normal lung would look completely black in a CT scan.

        Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

        illustration

      • Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

        Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan - illustration

        This CT scan shows a cross section of the lungs of a person with lung cancer. The two dark areas in the middle of the screen are the lungs. The light areas in the right lung (on the left of the screen) represent the cancer.

        Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

        illustration

      • Respiratory system

        Respiratory system - illustration

        Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

        Respiratory system

        illustration

        • Bronchoscopy

          Bronchoscopy - illustration

          Bronchoscopy is a surgical technique for viewing the interior of the airways. Using sophisticated flexible fiber optic instruments, surgeons are able to explore the trachea, main stem bronchi, and some of the small bronchi. In children, this procedure may be used to remove foreign objects that have been inhaled. In adults, the procedure is most often used to take samples of (biopsy) suspicious lesions and for culturing specific areas in the lung.

          Bronchoscopy

          illustration

        • Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

          Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray - illustration

          A lateral view of a chest x-ray in a patient with central cancer of the lung.

          Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

          illustration

        • Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

          Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray - illustration

          A chest x-ray in a patient with central cancer of the right lung. Notice the white mass in the middle portion of the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).

          Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

          illustration

        • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

          Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray - illustration

          This x-ray shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the upper right lung (seen as a light area on the left side of the picture). The nodule has distinct borders (well-defined) and is uniform in density. Tuberculosis (TB) and other diseases can cause this type of lesion.

          Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

          illustration

        • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

          Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan - illustration

          This CT scan shows a single lesion (pulmonary nodule) in the right lung. This nodule is seen as the light circle in the upper portion of the dark area on the left side of the picture. A normal lung would look completely black in a CT scan.

          Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

          illustration

        • Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

          Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan - illustration

          This CT scan shows a cross section of the lungs of a person with lung cancer. The two dark areas in the middle of the screen are the lungs. The light areas in the right lung (on the left of the screen) represent the cancer.

          Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

          illustration

        • Respiratory system

          Respiratory system - illustration

          Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

          Respiratory system

          illustration

        Review Date: 6/17/2024

        Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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