Cancer Spread to the Lungs

January 24, 2025

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Jyoti Malhotra, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center; and Jae Y. Kim, M.D., associate professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, City of Hope Cancer Center Duarte

Cancer may begin growing anywhere in the body. Sometimes, it spreads from the original tumor to another location, such as the lungs. When this happens, the tumors are called lung metastases. The lungs are one of the most common sites to which other cancers may spread.

What Are Lung Metastases?

Lung metastases are tumors that have spread to the lungs from a cancer in another part of the body. For example, cancer that starts to grow in the uterus and spreads to the lungs is called metastatic uterine cancer, not lung cancer.

Cancer cells typically spread to the lungs through a series of steps. First, cancer cells at the original tumor invade nearby healthy tissue. Next, they move into the blood vessels or lymph nodes. Then, they travel through the blood and lymphatic systems until they arrive at a new location and begin to grow into the surrounding healthy tissue. When enough cancer cells accumulate, a new tumor forms that creates its own blood supply. Once the tumor has its own blood supply, it may continue to grow unchecked.

Lung Metastases Versus Metastatic Lung Cancer

Lung cancer that begins growing in the lungs and spreads to other parts of the body is known as metastatic lung cancer. Cancers that begin at other sites in the body and spread to the lungs are called lung metastases.

The original site in the body where the cancer begins to grow is known as the primary cancer.

For example, if cancer starts in the colon and spreads to the lung, it is still considered colon cancer. The therapies used to treat it would be specific to colon cancer.

To figure out whether cancer cells in the lungs began growing within them or somewhere else, care providers may do a biopsy to obtain a tissue sample for testing. Cancer that started elsewhere and spread to the lungs has the same characteristics as the primary cancer. Knowing where the cancer began growing helps guide treatment decisions.

Which Cancers Spread to the Lungs?

Cancer may spread from one area of the body to another, and nearly all solid tumors may spread to the lung.

Cancers that most often spread to the lungs include:

• Breast cancer spread to lungs
• Colon cancer spread to lungs
• Prostate cancer spread to lungs
• Pancreatic cancer spread to lungs
• Kidney cancer spread to lungs
• Testicular cancer spread to lungs
• Uterine cancer spread to lungs
• Ovarian cancer spread to lungs
• Lymphomas (cancer that starts in cells that are part of the immune system) spread to lungs
• Rectal cancer spread to lungs
• Head and neck cancer spread to lungs
• Bladder cancer spread to lungs
• Melanoma spread to lungs
• Stomach cancer spread to lungs
• Thyroid cancer spread to lungs
• Sarcoma (cancer of the bone or soft tissues) spread to lungs

Symptoms of Lung Metastases

Symptoms of lung metastases may include:

• Chest pain
• Feeling short of breath
• Accumulation of fluid around the lungs
• Cough that may bring up blood
• Lack of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness

In some cases, doctors may prescribe treatments to help ease symptoms.

Treatment for Lung Metastases

Treatment for lung metastases typically hinges on where the cancer started. It may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy or immunotherapy, either alone or in combination. Surgery to remove the lung metastases may be an option if the main cancer and any other sites of cancer are well-controlled.

Other treatments that may be considered include:

• Placing stents inside airway passages to hold them open
• Targeted systemic therapy (treatment directed at the proteins that control the growth, division and spread of cancer cells)
• Laser therapy to shrink the cancer cells
• Ablation, which uses heat probes or very cold temperatures to destroy the tumor

If fluid has accumulated around the lungs, it may need to be removed. This procedure is known as thoracentesis. Doctors insert a tube to drain the fluid and may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.

Sometimes, treatments help to reduce bothersome symptoms of lung metastases. Antianxiety medications or opioid drugs may provide relief for shortness of breath. Techniques to improve relaxation may also help ease accompanying anxiety.

At City of Hope^®, members of the care team work with patients and their families to recommend treatment options for lung metastases.