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Difference between revisions of "Metastases"
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[[Image:Metastatic adenocarcinoma - cerebellum - intermed mag.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A [[brain metastasis]]. [[H&E stain]].]] | [[Image:Metastatic adenocarcinoma - cerebellum - intermed mag.jpg|right|250px|thumb|A [[brain metastasis]]. [[H&E stain]].]] | ||
'''Metastases''' are tumours that have spread from elsewhere; usually, they are an ominous finding. | '''Metastases''' are tumours that have spread from elsewhere and are separate from the initial (primary) lesion; usually, they are an ominous finding. | ||
Seen from pathology, ''metastatic disease'' and ''direct extension of a tumour'' (on a biopsy) may be distinguishable. | |||
Metastases are not always obvious when encountered; thus, ''metastasis'' should be considered with every diagnosis of a [[cancer|malignant tumour]]. | |||
'''''[[Cancers of unknown primary]]''''' are dealt with in the ''[[cancer]]'' article. A general approach to undifferentiated tumours is given in the ''[[basics]]'' article under the heading '''''[[modified general morphologic DDx of malignancy]]'''''. | '''''[[Cancers of unknown primary]]''''' are dealt with in the ''[[cancer]]'' article. A general approach to undifferentiated tumours is given in the ''[[basics]]'' article under the heading '''''[[modified general morphologic DDx of malignancy]]'''''. | ||
[[Lymph node]] metastases are dealt with in the article ''[[lymph node metastases]]''. | [[Lymph node]] metastases are dealt with in the article ''[[lymph node metastases]]''. | ||
A handful of things have metastatic-like behaviour but are not malignant. Examples of benign things with metastatic-like behaviour are: benign metastasizing leiomyoma,<ref name=pmid15099894>{{Cite journal | last1 = Pitts | first1 = S. | last2 = Oberstein | first2 = EM. | last3 = Glassberg | first3 = MK. | title = Benign metastasizing leiomyoma and lymphangioleiomyomatosis: sex-specific diseases? | journal = Clin Chest Med | volume = 25 | issue = 2 | pages = 343-60 | month = Jun | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1016/j.ccm.2004.01.014 | PMID = 15099894 }}</ref> [[endometriosis]], [[endosalpingiosis]] and benign nevus cells (in lymph nodes).<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Cook | first1 = MG. | title = Benign melanocytic lesions mimicking melanomas. | journal = Pathology | volume = 36 | issue = 5 | pages = 414-8 | month = Oct | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1080/00313020412331283842 | PMID = 15370110 }}</ref> | |||
=Special types= | =Special types= | ||