PULMONARY METASTASES OF ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

From 1960 to 1976, 33 of 1434 patients (2.3%) with endometrial carcinoma developed pulmonary metastases. Metastases were confined to the lungs in only eight patients and four patients died of pulmonary insufficiency in contrast to 22 patients who died as a result of their extrapulmonary tumor. The lymph nodes, vagina, skeleton, and abdominal viscera were the most frequent sites of coexisting disease. Pulmonary metastases of endometrial carcinoma occurred in elderly patients with tumors of high stage and grade or extensive myometrial penetration. The interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and the appearance of metastases was significantly longer in the 24% of patients who responded to progestins. The grade of the primary tumor and the number and location of the pulmonary lesions were unrelated to their responsiveness. Patients with metastases confined to the lungs had a 60% response rate, while those with additional extrapulmonary metastases had a 15% response. © 1979.