Lung metastases in cervical and endometrial carcinoma

Carcinoma of the cervix or endometrium was evaluated in 1,021 patients at the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, Boston, between July 1968 and December 1977. The patients were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of lung metastases, appearing initially or during their disease course. On chest radiography, 42 patients were found to have metastases. Lung metastases were seen in 5.1% of patients with carcinoma of the cervix and in 3.6% of patients with carcinoma of the endometrium. Median time from initial disease staging to detection of lung metastases was 12 months. Once pulmonary spread was discovered, 80% of patients expired within 1 year. Lung nodules varied greatly in size. In 11 patients they were solitary; five patients had pleural effusions; three had mediastinal or hilar adenopathy; and none had excavation.