Aerogenous Metastases: A Potential Game Changer in the Diagnosis and Management of Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma

This interesting article summarizes the evidence from clinical, radiologic and pathologic investigations that lung cancer, specifically adenocarcinoma, may metastasize through the airways, defined as discontinuous spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor through the airways to adjacent or distant lung parenchyma. The presence of persistent or growing centrilobular nodules on CT images may be considered suspicious for aerogenous spread in patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma. This form of intrapulmonary metastasis would have significant implications in treatment and adds new opportunities in lung cancer research.