Thoracic metastases from cervical carcinoma: current status.

Thoracic metastases from squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix were studied by reviewing 245 consecutive cases to describe comparative incidence, natural history, and radiographic patterns. The incidence of chest metastases was higher for adenocarcinoma (20%) than for squamous carcinoma (4%). Few patients diagnosed in the early stages of squamous carcinoma developed metastases; for adenocarcinoma, chest metastases occurred regardless of the stage at diagnosis. For both histologies, parenchymal (often cavitary) nodules only were seen; lymphangitic pattern was not observed. Both adenopathy and malignant effusion are common (44% of metastases) in thoracic metastasis from squamous carcinoma. Adenopathy but not effusion was common in adenocarcinoma.