[Carcinomatous lymphangitis].
BACKGROUND
Carcinomatous lymphangitis is a radioclinical entity accounting for about 8% of all cases of lung metastasis defined as the presence of tumoral cells in lymph vessels and lung interstitium.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens or bronchial brushings obtained by fibroendoscopy or bronchioalveolar lavage fluid usually reveal adenocarcinoma.
In clinical practice, the patient presents with dyspnea and non-specific infiltration on the chest x-ray. The clinical situation worsens rapidly. Millimetric CT-scan shows highly suggestive polygonal images in the subpleural area. Respiratory function tests may be helpful for the differential diagnosis, particularly in difficult cases, showing a mixed ventilation disorder without altered carbon monoxide diffusion and hypoxemia at rest without hypercapnia.
Primary lesions must be identified for specific treatment. Pathology findings help guide the search. Despite the highly unfavorable prognosis (median survival = 3 months), etiological treatment when possible can improve quality of life and possibly survival. Symptomatic treatment is indicated and must be adapted to each individual case.
Hominal
S
S
Service de pneumologie, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Lyon.
Falchero
L
L
Perol
M
M
Guérin
J C
JC
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008205:Lymphangitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Lymphangite carcinomateuse.