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| {{Short description|Radiologic sign in disseminated cancer}} | {{Short description|Radiologic sign in disseminated cancer}} | ||
| The '''cannonball sign''' is a radiological term used to describe the presence of multiple, well-circumscribed, round opacities seen on X-ray or CT imaging, typically in the lungs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Rong-Hsin |last2=Ting |first2=Chien-Hsin |last3=Chu |first3=Yum-Kung |title=Cannonball lung metastases as a presenting feature of ectopic hCG expression |journal=Journal of Oncological Sciences |date= |
The '''cannonball sign''' is a radiological term used to describe the presence of multiple, well-circumscribed, round opacities seen on X-ray or CT imaging, typically in the lungs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Rong-Hsin |last2=Ting |first2=Chien-Hsin |last3=Chu |first3=Yum-Kung |title=Cannonball lung metastases as a presenting feature of ectopic hCG expression |journal=Journal of Oncological Sciences |date=August 2016 |volume=2 |issue=2-3 |pages=58–62 |doi=10.1016/j.jons.2016.07.003 }}</ref> This finding is most commonly associated with hematogenous metastases, where malignant cells spread to the lungs via the bloodstream, forming discrete nodules that resemble cannonballs.<ref name=amma>{{cite journal |last1=Ammannagari |first1=Nischala |last2=Polu |first2=Vengamamba |title=‘Cannon ball’ pulmonary metastases |journal=Case Reports |date=8 January 2013 |volume=2013 |pages=bcr2012008158 |doi=10.1136/bcr-2012-008158 }}</ref> The term "cannonball" reflects the large, rounded appearance of these lesions, often evident on chest radiographs or CT scans. | ||
| ==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
| Cannonball metastases result from the hematogenous dissemination of malignant cells, where tumor emboli travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the pulmonary vasculature. The lungs are a frequent site of metastases due to their rich vascular supply and filtration of venous blood. The characteristic rounded nodules represent distinct tumor foci that grow in a non-infiltrative pattern.<ref>{{cite journal |
Cannonball metastases result from the hematogenous dissemination of malignant cells, where tumor emboli travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the pulmonary vasculature. The lungs are a frequent site of metastases due to their rich vascular supply and filtration of venous blood. The characteristic rounded nodules represent distinct tumor foci that grow in a non-infiltrative pattern.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-04013-4_14 }}</ref> | ||
| This pattern is typically associated with malignancies that produce well-demarcated metastatic deposits rather than diffuse infiltrative changes. The size and number of nodules can vary depending on the primary tumor and the extent of metastatic spread. | This pattern is typically associated with malignancies that produce well-demarcated metastatic deposits rather than diffuse infiltrative changes. The size and number of nodules can vary depending on the primary tumor and the extent of metastatic spread. | ||
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| Chest radiograph shows multiple, rounded opacities of varying sizes, typically bilateral but may be unilateral in early stages. Lesions are well-defined, mimicking cannonballs.<ref name=amma/> | Chest radiograph shows multiple, rounded opacities of varying sizes, typically bilateral but may be unilateral in early stages. Lesions are well-defined, mimicking cannonballs.<ref name=amma/> | ||
| ===Computed Tomography=== | ===Computed Tomography=== | ||
| CT has greater sensitivity in detecting small or early nodules. Nodules are round, well-circumscribed, and randomly distributed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Paul |title=Cannon Balls |url=https://litfl.com/cannon-balls/ |website=Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL |access-date=17 December 2024 |date=12 October 2018}}</ref> The nodules may reveal additional features such as ] or calcification, depending on the tumor type. | CT has greater sensitivity in detecting small or early nodules. Nodules are round, well-circumscribed, and randomly distributed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Paul |title=Cannon Balls |url=https://litfl.com/cannon-balls/ |website=Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL |access-date=17 December 2024 |date=12 October 2018}}{{self-published inline}}</ref> The nodules may reveal additional features such as ] or calcification, depending on the tumor type. | ||
| ===MRI and PET-CT=== | ===MRI and PET-CT=== | ||
| Rarely used for initial identification but can assess metastatic activity, especially in borderline or ambiguous cases. | Rarely used for initial identification but can assess metastatic activity, especially in borderline or ambiguous cases. | ||
| ==Clinical Implications== | ==Clinical Implications== | ||
| Cannonball metastases are classically seen in ],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hla Aye |first1=M T |last2=Rubel |first2=A R |last3=Han |first3=M B |last4=Kyaw |first4=A Y |last5=Mani |first5=B I |last6=Chong |first6=V H |title=Pulmonary cannonball metastasis and renal cell carcinoma |journal=QJM: An International Journal of Medicine |date= |
Cannonball metastases are classically seen in ],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hla Aye |first1=M T |last2=Rubel |first2=A R |last3=Han |first3=M B |last4=Kyaw |first4=A Y |last5=Mani |first5=B I |last6=Chong |first6=V H |title=Pulmonary cannonball metastasis and renal cell carcinoma |journal=QJM: An International Journal of Medicine |date=December 2022 |volume=115 |issue=12 |pages=856–857 |doi=10.1093/qjmed/hcac203 }}</ref> also seen in ], ],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scaramozzino |first1=Marco Umberto |last2=Nassisi |first2=Veronica |last3=Sapone |first3=Giovanni |title=Pulmonary 'cannonball' metastasis from endometrial cancer: a rare case report |journal=Chest Disease Reports |date=22 April 2024 |volume=12 |doi=10.4081/cdr.12.12460 }}</ref> ] and some gastrointestinal malignancies. | ||
| The presence of cannonball metastases is a hallmark of advanced systemic malignancy. Identification of these lesions often triggers search for primary tumor. Detailed history, physical examination, and further imaging studies (e.g., abdominal or pelvic CT, mammography) are needed to locate the primary malignancy. Biopsy may be performed to confirm the metastatic origin and histopathology, particularly if the primary tumor is unknown. | The presence of cannonball metastases is a hallmark of advanced systemic malignancy. Identification of these lesions often triggers search for primary tumor. Detailed history, physical examination, and further imaging studies (e.g., abdominal or pelvic CT, mammography) are needed to locate the primary malignancy. Biopsy may be performed to confirm the metastatic origin and histopathology, particularly if the primary tumor is unknown. | ||
| Cannonball metastases often indicate a poor prognosis, reflecting widespread disease. | Cannonball metastases often indicate a poor prognosis, reflecting widespread disease. | ||
Revision as of 13:55, 17 December 2024
Radiologic sign in disseminated cancerThe cannonball sign is a radiological term used to describe the presence of multiple, well-circumscribed, round opacities seen on X-ray or CT imaging, typically in the lungs. This finding is most commonly associated with hematogenous metastases, where malignant cells spread to the lungs via the bloodstream, forming discrete nodules that resemble cannonballs. The term "cannonball" reflects the large, rounded appearance of these lesions, often evident on chest radiographs or CT scans.
Pathophysiology
Cannonball metastases result from the hematogenous dissemination of malignant cells, where tumor emboli travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the pulmonary vasculature. The lungs are a frequent site of metastases due to their rich vascular supply and filtration of venous blood. The characteristic rounded nodules represent distinct tumor foci that grow in a non-infiltrative pattern.
This pattern is typically associated with malignancies that produce well-demarcated metastatic deposits rather than diffuse infiltrative changes. The size and number of nodules can vary depending on the primary tumor and the extent of metastatic spread.
Imaging Features
Chest Radiograph
Chest radiograph shows multiple, rounded opacities of varying sizes, typically bilateral but may be unilateral in early stages. Lesions are well-defined, mimicking cannonballs.
Computed Tomography
CT has greater sensitivity in detecting small or early nodules. Nodules are round, well-circumscribed, and randomly distributed. The nodules may reveal additional features such as necrosis or calcification, depending on the tumor type.
MRI and PET-CT
Rarely used for initial identification but can assess metastatic activity, especially in borderline or ambiguous cases.
Clinical Implications
Cannonball metastases are classically seen in renal cell carcinoma, also seen in choriocarcinoma, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer and some gastrointestinal malignancies. The presence of cannonball metastases is a hallmark of advanced systemic malignancy. Identification of these lesions often triggers search for primary tumor. Detailed history, physical examination, and further imaging studies (e.g., abdominal or pelvic CT, mammography) are needed to locate the primary malignancy. Biopsy may be performed to confirm the metastatic origin and histopathology, particularly if the primary tumor is unknown. Cannonball metastases often indicate a poor prognosis, reflecting widespread disease.
References
- Yang, Rong-Hsin; Ting, Chien-Hsin; Chu, Yum-Kung (August 2016). "Cannonball lung metastases as a presenting feature of ectopic hCG expression". Journal of Oncological Sciences. 2 (2–3): 58–62. doi:10.1016/j.jons.2016.07.003.
- ^ Ammannagari, Nischala; Polu, Vengamamba (8 January 2013). "'Cannon ball' pulmonary metastases". Case Reports. 2013: bcr2012008158. doi:10.1136/bcr-2012-008158.
- . doi:10.1007/978-3-319-04013-4_14.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - Young, Paul (12 October 2018). "Cannon Balls". Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
- Hla Aye, M T; Rubel, A R; Han, M B; Kyaw, A Y; Mani, B I; Chong, V H (December 2022). "Pulmonary cannonball metastasis and renal cell carcinoma". QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 115 (12): 856–857. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcac203.
- Scaramozzino, Marco Umberto; Nassisi, Veronica; Sapone, Giovanni (22 April 2024). "Pulmonary 'cannonball' metastasis from endometrial cancer: a rare case report". Chest Disease Reports. 12. doi:10.4081/cdr.12.12460.