Lymphangitis carcinomatosis

What is lymphangitis carcinomatosis (LC)? Answer from emedicine.

The lungs are one of the most common targets for metastatic disease. Most pulmonary metastases are nodular, but a significant minority is interstitial. LC refers to the diffuse infiltration and obstruction of pulmonary parenchymal lymphatic channels by tumour.

Various neoplasms can cause lymphangitic carcinomatosis, but 80% are adenocarcinomas. The most common primary sites are the breasts, lungs, colon, and stomach. Other sources include the pancreas, thyroid, cervix, prostate, and larynx. LC can also arise from choriocarcinoma, melanoma, or metastatic adenocarcinoma from an unknown primary cancer.