Lymphangitic carcinomatosis, or lymphangitis carcinomatosa, is the term given to tumour spread through the lymphatics of the lung and is most commonly seen secondary to adenocarcinoma.
On this page:
Epidemiology
The demographics will reflect that of the underlying malignancy (see below).
Clinical presentation
Clinical presentation is variable. Some patients experience dyspnoea and abnormal pulmonary function tests early in the course of the disease, well before any radiographic abnormalities are evident, whereas others remain asymptomatic until much later 4.
Pathology
Lymphangitic carcinomatosis is most commonly seen secondary to adenocarcinomas such as 5:
breast cancer: most common 3,12
lung cancer: considered second most common 12
stomach cancer: considered third most common 12
It can also be seen in numerous other primary cancers, e.g. laryngeal cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc.
A helpful mnemonic for lymphangitic carcinomatosis is sometimes used for its common causes.
Mechanism
Spread into the lymphatics in most cases (except in bronchogenic adenocarcinoma) usually occurs following haematogenous seeding of the lungs, with subsequent lymphatic involvement 1,3. It may also occur by retrograde spread into the lymphatics from the mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes.
Both the peripheral lymphatics coursing in the interlobular septa and beneath the pleura, and the central lymphatics coursing in the bronchovascular interstitium are involved 2.
Histologically tumour is seen both within lymphatics and in the adjacent interstitium, with associated oedema and desmoplasia 3,4.
Radiographic features
Radiographic appearances can most easily be divided into those involving the peripheral (interlobular septa) and/or the central lymphatic system. Involvement may be diffusely of both, or predominantly of one compartment or the other 4. Distribution of changes is variable, but most are asymmetric and patchy 3. It is usually bilateral but may be unilateral, especially in cases of lung and breast cancer 15.
Plain radiograph
Unfortunately up to a quarter of patients with subsequently established lymphangitic carcinomatosis have normal chest x-rays 2. When abnormal, the most common finding is a reticulonodular pattern, with thickening of the interlobular septa which may resemble septal (Kerley B) lines.
CT
CT, especially HRCT, is excellent at demonstrating both peripheral and central changes.
Typically the appearance is that of interlobular septal thickening, most often nodular and irregular, although smooth thickening may also sometimes be seen 1-4. This results in a prominent definition of the secondary pulmonary lobules, manifesting as tessellating polygons.
There could also be an alveolar filling pattern blending into more reticulation 5.
Thickening of the bronchovascular interstitium is usually irregular and nodular, with changes seen extending towards the hilum 4.
The combination may give a characteristic "dot in box" appearance.
Additional HRCT findings include 2,4:
subpleural nodules, and thickening of the interlobar fissures
pleural effusion(s): pleural carcinomatosis
hilar and mediastinal nodal enlargement (40-50%)
relatively little destruction of overall lung architecture
A helpful sign is that the overall lung and lobular architecture is preserved 1. In most cases, lymphangitic carcinomatosis progresses rapidly and patients deteriorate (see treatment and prognosis below), however in some cases changes may remain stable over considerable time 3. As such a 'stable' appearance when compared to previous imaging does not necessarily exclude the diagnosis.
Nuclear medicine
FDG PET-CT
-
increased avidity within the nodular interlobular septal thickening
PET-CT has a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 100% 7
The detection sensitivity of focal pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis close to a primary malignant tumour however may be low in FDG-PET 11.
Treatment and prognosis
Treatment is determined by the histology of the primary tumour, but in general, relies on systemic chemotherapy.
Prognosis of patients with lymphangitic carcinomatosis is poor, with approximately half of patients succumbing to their illness within a year of diagnosis 2,3. Occasionally, long-term survival is encountered 3.
History and etymology
Autopsy appearances of lymphangitis carcinomatosa were first described in 1824 by French physician Gabriel Andral (1797-1876) in a case of primary uterine cancer 9. Further case reports were published by German pathologist Dr Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) in 1855 17, H Demme in 1858, John Syer Bristowe (1827-1895) in 1868, E Troisier in 1873 (who coined the term 'lymphangitis carcinomatosa' 13), and Maurice Raynaud in 1874. Many of these case reports were referenced by J Girode in 1889 when reporting lymphangitis carcinomatosa in a case of gastric carcinoma, who proposed a mechanism of lymphatic spread 16.
Differential diagnosis
Considerations include a differential for that of thickened interlobular septa, with common entities comprising of 1,3:
sarcoidosis: more nodular pattern predominating in the upper lobes
pulmonary oedema: commonly bilateral and often have a gravitational distribution