Differentiating Separate Primary Lung Adenocarcinomas From Intrapulmonary Metastases With Emphasis on Pathological and Molecular Considerations: Recommendations From the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Pathology Committee.
Journal
Journal of thoracic oncology
Journal Volume
20
Journal Issue
3
Start Page
311
End Page
330
ISSN
1556-1380
Date Issued
2025-03
Author(s)
Chou, Teh-Ying
Dacic, Sanja
Wistuba, Ignacio
Beasley, Mary Beth
Berezowska, Sabina
Chung, Jin-Haeng
Connolly, Casey
Han, Yuchen
Hirsch, Fred R
Hwang, David M
Janowczyk, Andrew
Joubert, Philippe
Kerr, Keith M
Lin, Dongmei
Minami, Yuko
Mino-Kenudson, Mari
Nicholson, Andrew G
Papotti, Mauro
Rekhtman, Natasha
Roden, Anja C
von der Thüsen, J H
Travis, William
Tsao, Ming-Sound
Yatabe, Yasushi
Yeh, Yi-Chen
Bubendorf, Lukas
Chang, Wei-Chin
Denninghoff, Valeria
Fernandes Tavora, Fabio Rocha
Hayashi, Takuo
Hofman, Paul
Jain, Deepali
Kim, Tae-Jung
Lantuejoul, Sylvie
Le Quesne, John
Lopez-Rios, Fernando
Matsubara, Daisuke
Noguchi, Masayuki
Radonic, Teodora
Saqi, Anjali
Schalper, Kurt
Shim, Hyo Sup
Sholl, Lynette
Weissferdt, Annikka
Cooper, Wendy A
DOI
10.1016/j.jtho.2024.11.016
Abstract
Introduction: With the implementation of low-dose computed tomography screening, multiple pulmonary tumor nodules are diagnosed with increasing frequency and the selection of surgical treatments versus systemic therapies has become challenging on a daily basis in clinical practice. In the presence of multiple carcinomas, especially adenocarcinomas, pathologically determined to be of pulmonary origin, the distinction between separate primary lung carcinomas (SPLCs) and intrapulmonary metastases (IPMs) is important for staging, management, and prognostication. Methods: We systemically reviewed various means that aid in the differentiation between SPLCs and IPMs explored by histopathologic evaluation and molecular profiling, the latter includes DNA microsatellite analysis, array comparative genomic hybridization, TP53 and oncogenic driver mutation testing and, more recently, with promising effectiveness, next-generation sequencing comprising small- or large-scale multi-gene panels. Results: Comprehensive histologic evaluation may suffice to differentiate between SPLCs and IPMs. Nevertheless, molecular profiling using larger-scale next-generation sequencing typically provides superior discriminatory power, allowing for more accurate classification. On the basis of the literature review and expert opinions, we proposed a combined four-step histologic and molecular classification algorithm for addressing multiple pulmonary tumor nodules of adenocarcinoma histology that encourages a multidisciplinary approach. It is also noteworthy that new technologies combining machine learning and digital pathology may develop into valuable diagnostic tools for distinguishing SPLCs from IPMs in the future. Conclusions: Although histopathologic evaluation is often adequate to differentiate SPLCs from IPMs, molecular profiling should be performed when possible, especially in cases with tumors exhibiting similar morphology. This manuscript summarized the previous efforts in resolving the current challenges and highlighted the recent progress in the differentiation methods and algorithms used in categorizing multiple lung adenocarcinomas into SPLCs or IPMs, which are becoming more and more critical in precision lung cancer management.
Subjects
Adenocarcinomas
Histopathology
Intrapulmonary metastases
Multiple pulmonary tumor nodules
Next generation sequencing
Separate primary lung carcinomas
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier Inc.
Type
journal article