Rare occurrence of cavitation of lung metastases following effective targeted therapy: A case report

Abstract

Abstract. The metastasis of malignant tumors to the lung is relatively common; however, cavitation of metastases is extremely rare in clinical cases, and the various mechanisms are controversial. The majority of irregular metastatic cavities form naturally and are detected incidentally when patients are examined prior to any therapeutic measures. The current study presents the case of a lung adenocarcinoma patient with total cavitation of intrapulmonary metastases following effective targeted therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The morphological changes were followed up for three years. This patient presented thin-walled and smooth clean cavities, which provides an indication of the effectiveness of treatment.

Diffuse Cystic Metastases in the Lung after Nivolumab Treatment in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report

“…If diffuse cystic lesions in a lung cancer patient are found after a relatively short period of time, the common radiological differential diagnoses include desquamative interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, pneumocystis pneumonia, and pulmonary cystic metastasis [1]. A few reports have mentioned that metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presented as multiple thin-walled cavities [3-5]. Song et al [3] reported the occurrence of cavitation of lung metastases following EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.…”

“…A few reports have mentioned that metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presented as multiple thin-walled cavities [3-5]. Song et al [3] reported the occurrence of cavitation of lung metastases following EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. They noted that these diffuse cystic changes on imaging can occur following effective targeted therapy.…”

Radiological approach to cavitary lung lesions

“…Primary or metastatic solid lung tumours may develop cavities after chemotherapy. 18 19 Central necrosis and tumour cavitation following treatment with chemotherapeutic agents such as vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, which act by inhibition of angiogenesis, is indicative of good therapeutic response (figure 4). On the other hand, filling in of a cavity by regrowth of solid tumour may indicate tumour progression.…”

Cavitating Pulmonary Metastases from a Renal Cell Carcinoma

“…Renal, bladder, and synovial sarcomas are far rarer causes for cavitation of metastasis to the lung. 3 We present a patient with an unusual presentation of hemoptysis with cavitary pulmonary lesions secondary to renal cell carcinoma metastasis.…”