Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2025
05:23
Author Spotlight: Decoding Metastasis-to-Metastasis Seeding Using a New In Vivo Technique for Tracking Breast Cancer Spread
Published on: July 7, 2023
1.0K
Spreading Through Air Spaces And Thinking About Lung Metastases
Patricia M Castro1, Joana Rei1, Cátia Silva1
1Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal.
Portuguese Journal of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
|March 18, 2024
Summary
Spread through air spaces (STAS) is a novel invasion pattern observed in pulmonary metastases. This study found STAS in 20% of patients, associated with larger tumor size and lymph node involvement, suggesting potential prognostic implications.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Spread Through Air Spaces (STAS) is a recognized invasion pattern in primary lung cancer.
- While STAS predicts outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma, its role in pulmonary metastases (PMs) is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of STAS in PMs.
- To explore the association between STAS and clinicopathological features of PMs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 50 patients undergoing pulmonary metastectomy.
- Evaluation of clinicopathological characteristics and comparison of STAS presence using statistical tests.
Main Results:
- STAS was identified in 20% of patients with PMs.
- STAS was more frequent in older patients, larger PMs, and those with lymph node metastases.
- Higher rates of locoregional recurrence and mortality were observed in STAS-positive cases, though not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- STAS is a common invasion pattern in pulmonary metastases from various primary sites.
- STAS in PMs may correlate with adverse clinicopathological features and potentially poorer outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Metastasis
5.5K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.5K
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
242
Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
242
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
230
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
230
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
325
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
325
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
838
Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
838
01:13Pleura of the Lungs
1.8K
The lungs are nestled in a cavity, shielded by the pleura. The pleura, a form of serous membrane, wraps around each lung. This membrane arrangement consists of two layers: the visceral and parietal pleurae. The visceral pleura lines the surface of the lungIn contrast, the parietal pleura is the outer layer and contacts to the thoracic wall, the mediastinum, and the diaphragm. The hilum is the point of connection between the visceral and parietal layers. The space between the parietal and...
1.8K