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Lung metastases

Metastases to the lung; Metastatic cancer to the lung; Lung cancer - metastases; Lung mets

 

Lung metastases are cancerous tumors that start somewhere else in the body and spread to the lungs.

Causes

 

Metastatic tumors in the lungs are cancers that developed at other places in the body (or other parts of the lungs). They then spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to the lungs. It is different than lung cancer that starts in the lungs.

 

Nearly any cancer can spread to the lungs. Common cancers that do this include:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Melanoma
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Sarcoma
  • Testicular cancer
  • Thyroid cancer

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms may include any of the following:

  • Bloody sputum
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Weight loss

 

Exams and Tests

 

Your health care provider will examine you and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Tests that may be done include:

  • Bronchoscopy to view the airways and take tissue samples, if possible
  • Chest CT scan
  • Chest x-ray
  • Cytologic studies of pleural fluid or sputum
  • Lung needle biopsy
  • PET scan
  • Surgery to take a sample of tissue from the lungs (surgical lung biopsy)

 

Treatment

 

Chemotherapy is often used to treat metastatic cancer to the lung. Surgery to remove the tumors may be done when any of the following occurs:

  • The cancer has spread to only limited areas of the lung
  • The lung tumors can be completely removed with surgery

However, the main tumor must be curable, and the person must be strong enough to go through the surgery and recovery.

Other treatments include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted systemic therapy
  • The placement of stents inside the airways
  • Laser therapy
  • Using local heat probes to destroy the cancer
  • Using very cold temperature probes to destroy the cancer

 

Support Groups

 

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

A cure is unlikely in most cases of cancers that have spread to the lungs. But the outlook depends on the main cancer. In some cases, a person can live more than 5 years with metastatic cancer to the lungs.

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications of metastatic tumors in the lungs may include:

  • Fluid between the lung and chest wall (pleural effusion), which can cause shortness of breath or pain when taking a deep breath
  • Further spread of the cancer

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Contact your provider if you have a history of cancer and you develop:

  • Coughing up blood
  • Persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained weight loss

 

Prevention

 

Not all cancers can be prevented. However, the chance of getting many cancers can be reduced by:

  • Eating healthy foods
  • Exercising regularly
  • Limiting alcohol consumption
  • Not smoking

 

 

Open References

References

Arenberg DA, Reddy RM. Metastatic malignant tumors. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 79.

Hayman J, Naidoo J, Ettinger DS. Lung metastases. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 57.

National Cancer Institute website. Metastatic cancer: When cancer spreads. www.cancer.gov/types/metastatic-cancer. Updated January 17, 2025. Accessed May 31, 2026.

Rossetti NE, Tohmasi S, Onaitis MW, Kozower BD. Lung, chest wall, pleura, and mediastinum. In: Tyler DS, Hayes-Dixon A, Hines OJ, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 110.

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  • Bronchoscopy

    Bronchoscopy

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  • Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

    Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

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  • Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

    Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

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  • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

    Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

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  • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

    Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

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  • Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

    Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

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  • Respiratory system

    Respiratory system

    illustration

    • Bronchoscopy

      Bronchoscopy

      illustration

    • Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

      Lung cancer - lateral chest x-ray

      illustration

    • Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

      Lung cancer - frontal chest X-ray

      illustration

    • Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

      Pulmonary nodule - front view chest x-ray

      illustration

    • Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      Pulmonary nodule, solitary - CT scan

      illustration

    • Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

      Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan

      illustration

    • Respiratory system

      Respiratory system

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Lung metastases

           
             

            Review Date: 5/1/2026

            Reviewed By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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