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Temporal evolution of metastatic disease: part I—an in-depth review of the evolution of metastatic disease across diverse spectrum of non-neural solid tumors on serial oncologic imaging studies and relevant practical applications

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Abstract

With improved survival rates of patients with metastatic disease due to continuously evolving multimodality treatment options, radiologists are increasingly interpreting imaging studies from patients with protracted metastatic disease. It is thus crucial for radiologists to have an in-depth understanding of the temporal evolution of metastatic spread and the accompanying findings on imaging studies, to provide accurate interpretation that supports optimal management. A general overview of the evolution of cancer spread on serial imaging studies and common pathways of tumor spread across multiple tumor types and tumor locations is not readily available in radiology literature. The key common pathways of tumor spread across diverse spectrum of tumors relevant to radiologists are summarized in a logical schematic approach which focusses on aiding radiologists to understand the pathways of spread resulting in current sites of metastatic disease involvement and then to potentially predict future sites of metastatic involvement. This article also summarizes the practical applications of this knowledge to the routine oncologic imaging interpretation.

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Abbreviations

IVC:

Inferior vena cava

LA:

Left atrium

PET:

Positron emission tomography

RA:

Right atrium

SVC:

Superior vena cava

SMA:

Superior mesenteric artery

SMV:

Superior mesenteric vein

3D-MIP:

Three-dimensional maximal intensity projection

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. Don Norwood with Scientific Editing Services, Research Medical Library at MD Anderson Cancer Center for editing this manuscript. We also thank Ms. Kelly Kage with DI Media Resouces at MD Anderson Cancer Center for editing the images.

Funding

The authors did not receive any funding for this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, UAB Montgomery Regional Medical Campus, 2055 East South Blvd, Ste 200, Montogomery, AL, 36116, USA

    Nahyun Jo

  2. Department of Abdominal Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Street, Unit 1473, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Leonardo Marcal, Ajaykumar C. Morani, Srinivasa Prasad & Sireesha Yedururi

  3. Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Floyd Curl Drive, 7703, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    Venkata Subbiah Katabathina

  4. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, MR5 2010 Box 800759, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Medhini Rachamallu

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  1. Nahyun Jo
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Contributions

SY and NJ: Idea of the work and manuscript preparation. All the authors contributed to literature search, editing and reviewing the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sireesha Yedururi.

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Jo, N., Marcal, L., Katabathina, V.S. et al. Temporal evolution of metastatic disease: part I—an in-depth review of the evolution of metastatic disease across diverse spectrum of non-neural solid tumors on serial oncologic imaging studies and relevant practical applications. Jpn J Radiol 39, 825–843 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-021-01126-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-021-01126-4

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