Tumor-to-tumor metastasis: pathology and neuroimaging considerations
Patricia Moody1, Kevin Murtagh, Sarat Piduru
1Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Abstract:
The phenomenon of tumor-to-tumor metastasis has been reported in the literature for over a century. However, it remains fairly uncommon, with fewer than 100 cases being described during that time. Virtually any benign or malignant tumor can be a recipient, but meningiomas have been implicated as the most common intracranial neoplasm to harbor metastasis. The donor neoplasm is most frequently lung or breast carcinoma, while rare cases of metastasis from other primary tumors have been reported. We report here three examples of such rare metastases. This case series reports the first documented instance involving rectal adenocarcinoma. In addition, we report two cases of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma to a meningioma; to date of which only three cases have been published. The terms "tumor-to-tumor metastasis" and "collision tumor" are addressed, as are details of the pathology. The limitations of standard radiological imaging techniques, such as standard CT and MR, which cannot reliably identify the presence of metastasis within a meningioma are compared with physiology-based neuroimaging methods, such as perfusion MR and MR spectroscopy, which may be more useful in noninvasively differentiating tumor histology.
Insights
Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is rare, with meningiomas often being the recipient. This study details rare cases, including the first rectal adenocarcinoma metastasis to a meningioma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuropathology
Background:
- Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is an infrequent phenomenon, with fewer than 100 cases documented historically.
- Meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumors to receive metastases, typically from lung or breast carcinomas.
Observation:
- This case series presents three rare instances of tumor-to-tumor metastasis.
- Includes the first reported case of rectal adenocarcinoma metastasis to a meningioma.
- Details two cases of metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma to meningioma, a rare occurrence with only three prior published cases.
Findings:
- Pathological details of these rare metastases are discussed.
- Standard imaging (CT, MR) limitations in identifying metastasis within meningiomas are highlighted.
- Physiology-based neuroimaging (perfusion MR, MR spectroscopy) shows potential for noninvasive differentiation of tumor histology.
Implications:
- Expands the known spectrum of donor tumors in tumor-to-tumor metastasis.
- Suggests advanced neuroimaging techniques may improve diagnostic accuracy for intracranial metastases.
- Contributes to understanding rare oncological and neuropathological events.
