Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

CT features of osteosarcoma lung metastasis: a retrospective study of 127 patients

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Osteosarcoma lung metastases have a wide variety of CT presentations, representing a challenge for radiologists. Knowledge of atypical CT patterns of lung metastasis is important to differentiate it from benign lung disease and synchronous lung cancer, as well as to determine the extent of primary disease. The objective of this study was to analyze CT features of osteosarcoma lung metastasis before and during chemotherapy.

Methods:

Two radiologists independently reviewed chest CT images of 127 patients with histopathologically confirmed osteosarcoma treated between May 10, 2012 and November 13, 2020. The images were divided into two groups for analysis: images obtained before chemotherapy and images obtained during chemotherapy (initial CT examination).

Results:

Seventy-five patients were diagnosed with synchronous or metachronous lung metastases. The most common CT findings were nodules (in 95% of the patients), distributed bilaterally (in 86%), with no predominance regarding craniocaudal distribution (in 71%). Calcification was observed in 47%. Less common findings included intravascular lesions (in 16%), cavitation (in 7%), and the halo sign (in 5%). The primary tumor size was significantly greater (i.e., > 10 cm) in patients with lung metastasis.

Conclusions:

On CT scans, osteosarcoma lung metastases typically appear as bilateral solid nodules. However, they can have atypical presentations, with calcification being the most common. Knowledge of the typical and atypical CT features of osteosarcoma lung metastasis could play a key role in improving image interpretation in these cases.

Keywords:
Neoplasm metastasis/lung; Osteosarcoma; Tomography, X-ray computed

RESUMO

Objetivo:

As metástases pulmonares do osteossarcoma têm uma grande variedade de apresentações tomográficas, o que é um desafio para os radiologistas. É importante conhecer os padrões tomográficos atípicos da metástase pulmonar para diferenciá-la de doença pulmonar benigna e câncer sincrônico de pulmão, bem como para determinar a extensão da doença primária. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as características tomográficas da metástase pulmonar do osteossarcoma antes da quimioterapia e durante a quimioterapia.

Métodos:

Dois radiologistas analisaram de modo independente as imagens de TC de tórax de 127 pacientes com osteossarcoma confirmado histopatologicamente, tratados entre 10 de maio de 2012 e 13 de novembro de 2020. As imagens foram divididas em dois grupos para a análise: imagens obtidas antes da quimioterapia e imagens obtidas durante a quimioterapia (TC inicial).

Resultados:

Setenta e cinco pacientes receberam diagnóstico de metástase pulmonar sincrônica ou metacrônica. Os achados tomográficos mais comuns foram nódulos (em 95% dos pacientes), distribuídos bilateralmente (em 86%), sem predominância de distribuição craniocaudal (em 71%). Observou-se calcificação em 47%. Alguns dos achados menos comuns foram lesões intravasculares (em 16%), escavação (em 7%) e o sinal do halo (em 5%). O tumor primário foi significativamente maior (> 10 cm) em pacientes com metástase pulmonar.

Conclusões:

Em imagens de TC, as metástases pulmonares do osteossarcoma tipicamente aparecem em forma de nódulos sólidos bilaterais. No entanto, podem ter apresentações atípicas, sendo a calcificação a mais comum. Conhecer as características tomográficas típicas e atípicas da metástase pulmonar do osteossarcoma pode ser fundamental para interpretar melhor as imagens nesses casos.

Descritores:
Metástase neoplásica/pulmão; Osteossarcoma; Tomografia computadorizada por raios X

INTRODUCTION

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and young adults, with an estimated global incidence of 2-4 million cases per year.11 Prater S, McKeon B. Osteosarcoma. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 [updated 2022 May 29]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549868/

2 Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09....

3 Wang J, Liu S, Shi J, Li J, Wang S, Liu H, et al. The Role of miRNA in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Osteosarcoma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2019;34(10):605-613. https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939
https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939...

4 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
-55 Yarmish G, Klein MJ, Landa J, Lefkowitz RA, Hwang S. Imaging characteristics of primary osteosarcoma: nonconventional subtypes. Radiographics. 2010;30(6):1653-1672. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.306105524
https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.306105524...
Despite the development of multimodal therapies, such as those involving surgery, systemic therapy, and immunotherapy, the prognosis of osteosarcoma remains poor, and patient survival correlates strongly with treatment response and metastatic status.44 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
The prognosis is also related to other variables, such as primary tumor location and size; patient sex and age; and histological subtype.66 Castro HC, Ribeiro KB, Bruniera P. Osteosarcoma: experience of the Pediatric Oncology clinic of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in São Paulo [Article in Portuguese]. Rev Bras Ortop. 2008;43(4)108-115. 10.1590/S0102-36162008000300002 https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-36162008000300002
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-3616200800...

7 Janeway KA, Maki R. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the management of osteosarcoma. Pappo AS, Baldini EH, Shah S. editors. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc. Available from: Available in: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chemotherapy-and-radiation-therapy-in-the- management-of-osteosarcoma
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chemot...
-88 Bishop MW, Chang YC, Krailo MD, Meyers PA, Provisor AJ, Schwartz CL, et al. Assessing the Prognostic Significance of Histologic Response in Osteosarcoma: A Comparison of Outcomes on CCG-782 and INT0133-A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Bone Tumor Committee. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016;63(10):1737-1743. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.26034
https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.26034...
The lungs are the most common site of osteosarcoma metastasis, with osteosarcoma lung metastases being observed in approximately 80% of patients.99 Zhang C, Guo X, Xu Y, Han X, Cai J, Wang X, et al. Lung metastases at the initial diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma: prevalence, risk factors and prognostic factors. A large population-based cohort study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2019;137(5):423-429. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0381120619
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0...
The 5-year survival rates in patients without and with osteosarcoma lung metastases are approximately 70% and 20%, respectively.44 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
,1010 Rasalkar DD, Chu WC, Lee V, Paunipagar BK, Cheng FW, Li CK. Pulmonary metastases in children with osteosarcoma: characteristics and impact on patient survival. Pediatr Radiol. 2011;41(2):227-236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-1
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-...
,1111 Daw NC, Chou AJ, Jaffe N, Rao BN, Billups CA, Rodriguez-Galindo C, et al. Recurrent osteosarcoma with a single pulmonary metastasis: a multi-institutional review. Br J Cancer. 2015;112(2):278-282. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.585
https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.585...

Primary osteosarcoma involves the distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus in more than 75% of cases, other long and flat bones being affected in the remaining cases.1212 Nguyen JC, Baghdadi S, Pogoriler J, Guariento A, Rajapakse CS, Arkader A. Pediatric Osteosarcoma: Correlation of Imaging Findings with Histopathologic Features, Treatment, and Outcome. Radiographics. 2022;42(4):1196-1213. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.210171
https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.210171...
Osteosarcoma can metastasize to virtually any site or organ, mostly to the lungs, but occasionally to bone and lymph nodes. At the time of diagnosis, 18-30% of patients with osteosarcoma have metastatic disease, the lungs being the most commonly affected site.1313 Sheng G, Gao Y, Yang Y, Wu H. Osteosarcoma and Metastasis. Front Oncol. 2021;11:780264. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.780264
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.780264...

Reported risk factors for pulmonary lesions in patients with osteosarcoma include male sex, primary malignant bone tumor of the femur or tibia, and primary tumor size.99 Zhang C, Guo X, Xu Y, Han X, Cai J, Wang X, et al. Lung metastases at the initial diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma: prevalence, risk factors and prognostic factors. A large population-based cohort study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2019;137(5):423-429. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0381120619
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0...
In addition, the number, distribution (unilateral or bilateral), and location of lung metastases may have prognostic value.22 Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09....
Thus, the correct diagnosis and characterization of these lesions has an impact on patient management.

Chest CT is the gold standard for the detection of lung metastases and may aid in distinguishing lung metastasis from benign lung disease. Radiologically, lung metastases typically appear as multiple peripheral round nodules of varying sizes in the lower lobes. However, osteosarcoma lung metastases may have atypical radiological features, which make their diagnosis challenging. On CT scans, lung metastases can have an extremely heterogeneous appearance, including calcification, hemorrhage halos around nodules, cavitation, pneumothorax, tumor embolism, an endobronchial location, solitary masses, dilated vessels within masses, and sterilized metastasis.1414 Bodanese L, Gutierrez AL, Capone D, Marchiori E. Metástases pulmonares atípicas: apresentações tomográficas. Radiol Bras. 2002;35(2):99-103. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-39842002000200010
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-3984200200...
,1515 Rastogi R, Garg R, Thulkar S, Bakhshi S, Gupta A. Unusual thoracic CT manifestations of osteosarcoma: review of 16 cases. Pediatr Radiol. 2008;38(5):551-558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0735-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0735-...

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the most common distribution, morphological characteristics, and chest CT features of osteosarcoma lung metastases. Epidemiological aspects and prognostic factors were also explored.

METHODS

Patients

This study was approved by the local research ethics committee, which waived the requirement for informed consent because of the retrospective nature of the study. All of the patients with osteosarcoma treated at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute between May 10, 2012 and November 13, 2020 (n = 156) were assessed for eligibility for inclusion in the study. Those who were included had an osteosarcoma diagnosis confirmed by primary tumor biopsy and had undergone chest CT examination. Those who did not undergo chest CT before chemotherapy (n = 29) were excluded. The study sample comprised 127 patients, 75 of whom had been diagnosed with synchronous or metachronous lung metastases.

Demographic data (including patient age and sex), mortality data, and clinical data (including the histological type, location, and size of the primary tumor) were collected. The lung metastases that were identified at the time of diagnosis were classified as synchronous, whereas those representing relapse despite chemotherapy for the primary tumor were classified as metachronous.1616 Gok Durnali A, Paksoy Turkoz F, Ardic Yukruk F, Tokluoglu S, Yazici OK, Demirci A, et al. Outcomes of Adolescent and Adult Patients with Lung Metastatic Osteosarcoma and Comparison of Synchronous and Metachronous Lung Metastatic Groups. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0152621. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152621
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.015...

CT protocol and image analysis

Although all of the patients included in the study were recruited from the same institution, some CT examinations were performed at other institutions, with different scanners. Nevertheless, the technical parameters were the same for all chest CT examinations: 1-2.5-mm slice thickness with up to 10-mm increments. Images were acquired from the lung apices to the diaphragm at the end of a deep inhalation, with the patients in the supine position. Two radiologists (one with 4 years of experience and the other with 13 years of experience) retrospectively and independently reviewed the chest CT images, with any disagreement being resolved by discussion until consensus was reached.

Images were interpreted with the aid of a digital database system (CARESTREAM Vue PACS, version 12.1.0.0365; Carestream Health, Rochester, NY, USA), lung parenchymal window settings (width, 1,200-1600 HU; level, −500 to −700 HU) and mediastinal window settings (width, 350-450 HU; level, 20-50 HU) being used. The observers performed maximum intensity projection reconstruction for accurate identification of pulmonary nodules.

CT images of primary osteosarcoma were analyzed in order to determine tumor size and location. Primary tumor sizes were classified as ≤ 5 cm, 6-10 cm, or > 10 cm.

Two groups of images were evaluated: the group of images obtained before chemotherapy and that of those obtained during chemotherapy (i.e., 3-12 months after initiation of chemotherapy).

Lung metastases were defined as lung lesions suspicious for malignancy, the number and/or dimensions of which increased progressively on serial CT examinations, as well as those found in patients undergoing metastasectomy. In accordance with the Fleischner Society glossary of terms for thoracic imaging,1717 Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Müller NL, Remy J. Fleischner Society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Radiology. 2008;246(3):697-722. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2462070712
https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.246207071...
lung metastases were classified on the basis of the following: pattern (nodule or mass); shape (smooth, lobulated, or spiculated); density (solid, nonsolid, or partially solid); presence of calcification, the halo sign, or cavitation; number of lesions (≤ 3, 4-10, or > 10); and size (as well as changes in size). The distribution of metastases in the lung parenchyma was classified on the basis of the following: laterality (unilateral or bilateral metastases); symmetry and the most affected lung (right or left lung); axial distribution (central, peripheral, or random distribution); and craniocaudal distribution (upper, middle, or lower lung).

The presence of pleural effusion and lymph node enlargement was recorded. Lung metastasis complications such as pneumothorax, vascular thrombosis, and pericardial effusion were also recorded.

RESULTS

Demographic and clinical characteristics

The study sample comprised 127 patients with osteosarcoma in the 5- to 72-year age bracket (mean age, 20 ± 12.7 years). Seventy-five (59%) of the patients (61% of whom were male; mean age, 18 ± 11.3 years) had lung metastases, and 53 (41%) of the patients (54% of whom male; mean age, 25 ± 14 years) did not.

The most common primary tumor location was the femur (in 53% of the study sample), and this location was more common in patients with lung metastasis than in those without (57% vs. 45%). Other primary tumor sites were the tibia (in 21%), humerus (in 7%), jaw (in 5%), and fibula (in 4%). Primary tumors of the foot, sacrum, scapula, clavicle, radius, ulna, sphenoid sinus, frontal bone, and retroauricular space occurred at a frequency of 1%.

The most common histological type was classic osteosarcoma (in 81%). Other histological types included high-grade osteosarcoma (in 6%), telangiectatic osteosarcoma (in 6%), small cell osteosarcoma (in 2%), parosteal osteosarcoma (in 2%), epithelioid osteosarcoma (in 1%), and giant cell osteosarcoma (in 1%). One case of osteosarcoma secondary to fibrous dysplasia was observed in a patient without lung metastasis (1%).

At admission, 10% of the primary tumors were < 6 cm in size, 27% were 6-10 cm in size, and 63% were > 10 cm in size. Primary tumor size was greater in patients with lung metastasis (> 10 cm in 81% of the cases) than in those without (< 10 cm in 36% of the cases). During the study period, death occurred more frequently in the group of patients with lung metastasis than in that of those without (77% vs. 21%).

CT findings before and during chemotherapy

Before chemotherapy

Seventy-five patients underwent CT examination before chemotherapy. Lung metastasis was observed in 72 (96%). Lesion size ranged from 0.3 cm to 7.8 cm in diameter (mean, 1.3 ± 1.5 cm), and nodules predominated, being observed in 69 patients (96%). Margins were smooth in 55 (76%) and lobulated in 17 (24%). Solid lesions predominated, being observed in 70 patients (97%; Figure 1). Semisolid nodules were observed in 2 (3%). Calcification was observed in 23 (32%; Figure 2), and cavitation was observed in 3 (4%).

Figure 1
A 72-year-old woman with primary osteosarcoma of the femur. In A and B, CT scans showing multiple nodules of various sizes in both lungs, with the largest nodule being on the right side and showing inner calcification. The patient died 9 months after treatment initiation.

Figure 2
A 44-year-old man with primary osteosarcoma of the femur. In A, B, and C, CT scans showing multiple calcified nodules and masses in both lungs.

Pulmonary involvement was bilateral in 58 patients (80%), with no predominance regarding the affected lung (n = 49; 68%) or craniocaudal distribution (n = 48; 66%) in most of the cases. Peripheral lesions predominated in 40 patients (55%), and no specific axial distribution was observed in 32 (45%). Fewer than 3 lesions were observed in 17 patients (23%), 4-10 lesions were observed in 25 (35%), and > 10 lesions were observed in 30 (42%).

The halo sign, which is an area of ground-glass opacity surrounding a nodule or mass, was observed in 4 patients (5%; Figure 3). Eleven patients (15%) showed intravascular lesions (Figure 4). Pleural effusion and lymph node enlargement were observed in 4 patients (5%; Figure 5). In 2 patients (3%), pneumothorax was identified as a complication of lung metastasis (Figure 3).

Figure 3
A 16-year-old boy with primary osteosarcoma of the femur. In A and B, CT scans performed at the time of diagnosis, showing multiple cavitary lung lesions with bilateral pneumothorax. In C and D, CT scans performed 5 months after initiation of chemotherapy, showing growth of the nodules, which are surrounded by ground-glass halos (indicating hemorrhagic pulmonary metastases).

Figure 4
A 7-year-old boy with primary osteosarcoma of the femur. In A and B, CT scans showing calcified intravascular lung metastasis, which was confirmed by biopsy. In C and D, CT scans acquired 6 months later, showing progression of the lung lesions, with mass formation on the right.

Figure 5
A 15-year-old boy with primary osteosarcoma of the femur. In A and B, CT scans showing multiple irregularly shaped masses in both lungs, with invasion of the left main bronchus.

Of the 72 patients presenting with lung metastasis before chemotherapy, 2 were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 70 patients, 58 died during the study period (mean survival, 18.5 ± 16 months). Pulmonary masses > 3 cm were observed only in patients who died (n = 3; 5%), and cases of patients with more than 3 lesions predominated in the nonsurviving group (n = 44; 79%). Bilateral involvement was more common among the patients who died (n = 47; 84%).

During chemotherapy

Of the 75 patients who underwent CT before treatment, 14 did not undergo follow-up CT examination. On follow-up CT scans, lung metastases ranged from 0.3 cm to 14 cm in diameter (mean, 2.6 ± 2.9 cm), and nodules predominated, being observed in 57 patients (93%). Smooth margins were observed in 36 patients (59%). Most of the lesions were solid (n = 58; 95%). Semisolid nodules were observed in 3 patients (5%). Calcifications were observed in 22 (36%), and cavitations were observed in 4 (6%).

Pulmonary involvement was bilateral in 57 patients (93%), with no predominance regarding the affected lung (n = 42; 69%) or craniocaudal distribution (n = 46; 75%) in most of the cases. Peripheral lesions predominated in 28 patients (46%), and no specific axial distribution was observed in 32 (52%). Fewer than 3 lesions were observed in 5 patients (8%), 4-10 lesions were observed in 20 (33%), and > 10 lesions were observed in 36 (59%).

The halo sign was observed in 1 patient (2%). Eleven patients (8%) had intravascular lesions, and 1 (2%) had an endobronchial lesion (Figure 5). Complications occurred in 2 patients: pneumothorax, in 1 (2%); and central line-associated thrombosis, in 1 (2%). Table 1 summarizes the main CT features of metastatic lung lesions.

Table 1
CT features of osteosarcoma lung metastasis before and during chemotherapy.a

The lesions were stable from baseline in 6 patients (10%), and decreased in size or disappeared in 11 (18%). In 44 patients (72%), the lesions progressed over time, with lesion growth or new lesion appearance (Figure 4), the mean size having increased from 1.3 cm at baseline to 2.6 cm. Changes in morphological patterns occurred in 17 patients (71%); in 14 of those patients, smooth lesions became lobulated.

DISCUSSION

In our study, patient age ranged from 5 years to 72 years. The incidence of osteosarcoma was highest in males in the second decade of life, and the most common primary tumor sites were the femur and the tibia, findings that are consistent with the literature.11 Prater S, McKeon B. Osteosarcoma. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 [updated 2022 May 29]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549868/,33 Wang J, Liu S, Shi J, Li J, Wang S, Liu H, et al. The Role of miRNA in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Osteosarcoma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2019;34(10):605-613. https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939
https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939...
,44 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
,1818 Sadykova LR, Ntekim AI, Muyangwa-Semenova M, Rutland CS, Jeyapalan JN, Blatt N, et al. Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Osteosarcoma. Cancer Invest. 2020;38(5):259-269. https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2020.1768401
https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2020.17...
,1919 Mirabello L, Troisi RJ, Savage SA. Osteosarcoma incidence and survival rates from 1973 to 2004: data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer. 2009;115(7):1531-1543. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.24121
https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.24121...

The lung is the most common site of osteosarcoma metastasis.2020 Silva JAM, Marchiori E, Macedo FC, Silva PRGD, Amorim VB. Pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma: multiple presentations in a single patient. J Bras Pneumol. 2022;48(2):e20210478. https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e20210478
https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e2021...
Risk factors for osteosarcoma lung metastasis include male sex, primary malignant bone tumor of the femur or tibia, and primary tumor size.99 Zhang C, Guo X, Xu Y, Han X, Cai J, Wang X, et al. Lung metastases at the initial diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma: prevalence, risk factors and prognostic factors. A large population-based cohort study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2019;137(5):423-429. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0381120619
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0...
In our study, 59% of the patients had lung metastases. Of those, 61% were male. The most common primary tumor sites were the femur and the tibia (in 52% and 22%, respectively). The primary tumor size was > 10 cm in 81% of the cases.

Patients with osteosarcoma lung metastases have a dismal prognosis, with an estimated 5-year survival rate of 20%.44 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
,1010 Rasalkar DD, Chu WC, Lee V, Paunipagar BK, Cheng FW, Li CK. Pulmonary metastases in children with osteosarcoma: characteristics and impact on patient survival. Pediatr Radiol. 2011;41(2):227-236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-1
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-...
Our findings of worse prognosis and lower mean survival in patients with lung metastasis than in those without (26 ± 25 months vs. 64 ± 33 months) are consistent with the literature.44 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
,1010 Rasalkar DD, Chu WC, Lee V, Paunipagar BK, Cheng FW, Li CK. Pulmonary metastases in children with osteosarcoma: characteristics and impact on patient survival. Pediatr Radiol. 2011;41(2):227-236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-1
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-...

Chest CT is a recommended component of the initial evaluation of patients with osteosarcoma, because of the high prevalence of lung metastasis and its significant impact on prognosis.33 Wang J, Liu S, Shi J, Li J, Wang S, Liu H, et al. The Role of miRNA in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Osteosarcoma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2019;34(10):605-613. https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939
https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939...
,44 Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.10023...
,99 Zhang C, Guo X, Xu Y, Han X, Cai J, Wang X, et al. Lung metastases at the initial diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma: prevalence, risk factors and prognostic factors. A large population-based cohort study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2019;137(5):423-429. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0381120619
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0...
,2121 Chiesa AM, Spinnato P, Miceli M, Facchini G. Radiologic Assessment of Osteosarcoma Lung Metastases: State of the Art and Recent Advances. Cells. 2021;10(3):553. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030553
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030553...
Recognition of the most common morphological CT characteristics of osteosarcoma lung metastasis is of fundamental importance, especially for small lesions, which are difficult to characterize and biopsy.2222 Dudeck O, Zeile M, Andreou D, Schnapauff D, Pech M, Wieners G, et al. Computed tomographic criteria for the discrimination of subcentimeter lung nodules in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. Clin Imaging. 2011;35(3):174-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2010.06.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2010....
In the present study, there was a predominance of solid nodules (in 96% of the patients) with smooth margins (in 68%), distributed peripherally (in 55%) and bilaterally (in 80%). These findings are consistent with the typical radiological appearance of lung metastases.1414 Bodanese L, Gutierrez AL, Capone D, Marchiori E. Metástases pulmonares atípicas: apresentações tomográficas. Radiol Bras. 2002;35(2):99-103. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-39842002000200010
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-3984200200...
,2222 Dudeck O, Zeile M, Andreou D, Schnapauff D, Pech M, Wieners G, et al. Computed tomographic criteria for the discrimination of subcentimeter lung nodules in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. Clin Imaging. 2011;35(3):174-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2010.06.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2010....
,2323 Bankier AA, MacMahon H, Goo JM, Rubin GD, Schaefer-Prokop CM, Naidich DP. Recommendations for Measuring Pulmonary Nodules at CT: A Statement from the Fleischner Society. Radiology. 2017;285(2):584-600. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2017162894
https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.201716289...

Cicarese et al.22 Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09....
found that 61.6% of their patients had calcification and the lesions increased in size and progressively calcified over time. Brader et al.2424 Brader P, Abramson SJ, Price AP, Ishill NM, Emily ZC, Moskowitz CS, et al. Do characteristics of pulmonary nodules on computed tomography in children with known osteosarcoma help distinguish whether the nodules are malignant or benign? [published correction appears in J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Aug;46(8):1685. Emily, Zabor C [corrected to Zabor, Emily C]]. J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46(4):729-735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.11.027
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010....
described that, in their population, the osteoid matrix produced by the osteosarcoma cell may form bone and lead to calcification in pulmonary nodules. In our study, calcification was observed in less than 50% of our patients. The fact that this imaging pattern was less common in our study may be attributable to the fact that we evaluated CT images obtained within 12 months of chemotherapy initiation. The literature contains little information regarding atypical presentations of lung metastases. In a retrospective analysis of CT and pathological findings for resected osteosarcoma lung metastases, the masses were not nodular in 14.1% of cases, and the presence of striae, consolidation, pleural/cavitary lesions, ground-glass opacity, irregular shapes, and the halo sign varied widely.22 Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09....
Cavitation was present in only a few of our patients (7%) and was associated with pneumothorax in 2. Hemorrhagic metastases, which are characterized by nodular opacities with ground-glass halos and which reflect fragile new blood vessels and, consequently, vessel rupture,2525 Seo JB, Im JG, Goo JM, Chung MJ, Kim MY. Atypical pulmonary metastases: spectrum of radiologic findings. Radiographics. 2001;21(2):403-417. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21.2.g01mr17403
https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21...
were observed in 4% of our patients.

Another atypical presentation of osteosarcoma lung metastasis was intravascular lesion (in 16%), which has rarely been reported in the literature. Intravascular metastasis usually affects small or medium-sized pulmonary arteries, a radiological diagnosis therefore being difficult.2626 Ting PT, Burrowes PW, Gray RR. Intravascular pulmonary metastases from sarcoma: appearance on computed tomography in 3 cases. Can Assoc Radiol J. 2005;56(4):214-218. Intravascular tumor embolism should be differentiated from pulmonary thromboembolism because they are managed differently.

Endobronchial metastasis is also a rare form of pulmonary involvement in osteosarcoma, being found in only 1 patient in our study. It can occur as secondary metastasis or as direct metastasis to the tracheobronchial tree from an extrapulmonary lesion.2525 Seo JB, Im JG, Goo JM, Chung MJ, Kim MY. Atypical pulmonary metastases: spectrum of radiologic findings. Radiographics. 2001;21(2):403-417. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21.2.g01mr17403
https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21...
,2727 Kayal S, Mohan A, Thulkar S, Durgapal P, Bakhshi S. Isolated endobronchial metastasis from osteosarcoma. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2013;20(2):190-191. https://doi.org/10.1097/LBR.0b013e31828ca198
https://doi.org/10.1097/LBR.0b013e31828c...
,2828 Kiryu T, Hoshi H, Matsui E, Iwata H, Kokubo M, Shimokawa K, et al. Endotracheal/endobronchial metastases : clinicopathologic study with special reference to developmental modes. Chest. 2001;119(3):768-775. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.119.3.768
https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.119.3.768...
Pleural effusion and lymph node involvement were also uncommon in our study. We found no reports on the incidence of pleural effusion in patients with osteosarcoma and one report on the incidence of lymph node involvement in such patients, the reported incidence being < 3%.1515 Rastogi R, Garg R, Thulkar S, Bakhshi S, Gupta A. Unusual thoracic CT manifestations of osteosarcoma: review of 16 cases. Pediatr Radiol. 2008;38(5):551-558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0735-3
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0735-...

In a follow-up study of osteosarcoma lung metastases, disease progression was observed in 59.4% of cases.22 Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09....
We observed disease progression in a larger proportion of patients (72%) and changes in morphological patterns in 17 patients (71%); in 14 of those patients, smooth lesions became lobulated.

Smaller numbers of metastatic lung lesions have been related to better survival and may reflect a low disease burden or favorable tumor biology.1111 Daw NC, Chou AJ, Jaffe N, Rao BN, Billups CA, Rodriguez-Galindo C, et al. Recurrent osteosarcoma with a single pulmonary metastasis: a multi-institutional review. Br J Cancer. 2015;112(2):278-282. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.585
https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.585...
Furthermore, the number of pulmonary nodules detected on baseline CT scans is believed to have greater prognostic significance than does lesion size.22 Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09....
,2121 Chiesa AM, Spinnato P, Miceli M, Facchini G. Radiologic Assessment of Osteosarcoma Lung Metastases: State of the Art and Recent Advances. Cells. 2021;10(3):553. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030553
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030553...
In our study, many of the patients who died during the study period had > 10 lesions on CT scans obtained before chemotherapy. All 3 patients with pulmonary masses on initial CT scans died. However, because this is a small number of patients, we were unable to assess the impact of this parameter on patient survival.

The present study has some limitations. It was a retrospective study, and the CT techniques varied widely because the examinations were performed on different scanners. Moreover, because we did not have full clinical and disease progression data for all patients, it was difficult to establish clinical and radiological correlations.

In conclusion, the most common CT findings in our patients were solid nodules with smooth margins, predominantly distributed peripherally and bilaterally. Nevertheless, lung metastases can have atypical presentations, with calcification being the most common. Given that the detection of lung metastases and their number and size at the time of diagnosis have a strong impact on the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma, clinicians must be able to recognize the common and uncommon imaging presentations of lung lesions in these patients.

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Prater S, McKeon B. Osteosarcoma. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 [updated 2022 May 29]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549868/
  • 2
    Ciccarese F, Bazzocchi A, Ciminari R, Righi A, Rocca M, Rimondi E, et al. The many faces of pulmonary metastases of osteosarcoma: Retrospective study on 283 lesions submitted to surgery. Eur J Radiol. 2015;84(12):2679-2685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2015.09.022
  • 3
    Wang J, Liu S, Shi J, Li J, Wang S, Liu H, et al. The Role of miRNA in the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Osteosarcoma. Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2019;34(10):605-613. https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939
    » https://doi.org/10.1089/cbr.2019.2939
  • 4
    Huang X, Zhao J, Bai J, Shen H, Zhang B, Deng L, et al. Risk and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung: A population-based study. J Bone Oncol. 2019;16:100230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100230
  • 5
    Yarmish G, Klein MJ, Landa J, Lefkowitz RA, Hwang S. Imaging characteristics of primary osteosarcoma: nonconventional subtypes. Radiographics. 2010;30(6):1653-1672. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.306105524
    » https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.306105524
  • 6
    Castro HC, Ribeiro KB, Bruniera P. Osteosarcoma: experience of the Pediatric Oncology clinic of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in São Paulo [Article in Portuguese]. Rev Bras Ortop. 2008;43(4)108-115. 10.1590/S0102-36162008000300002 https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-36162008000300002
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-36162008000300002
  • 7
    Janeway KA, Maki R. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the management of osteosarcoma. Pappo AS, Baldini EH, Shah S. editors. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc. Available from: Available in: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chemotherapy-and-radiation-therapy-in-the- management-of-osteosarcoma
    » https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chemotherapy-and-radiation-therapy-in-the- management-of-osteosarcoma
  • 8
    Bishop MW, Chang YC, Krailo MD, Meyers PA, Provisor AJ, Schwartz CL, et al. Assessing the Prognostic Significance of Histologic Response in Osteosarcoma: A Comparison of Outcomes on CCG-782 and INT0133-A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Bone Tumor Committee. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2016;63(10):1737-1743. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.26034
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.26034
  • 9
    Zhang C, Guo X, Xu Y, Han X, Cai J, Wang X, et al. Lung metastases at the initial diagnosis of high-grade osteosarcoma: prevalence, risk factors and prognostic factors. A large population-based cohort study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2019;137(5):423-429. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0381120619
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2018.0381120619
  • 10
    Rasalkar DD, Chu WC, Lee V, Paunipagar BK, Cheng FW, Li CK. Pulmonary metastases in children with osteosarcoma: characteristics and impact on patient survival. Pediatr Radiol. 2011;41(2):227-236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-1
    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1809-1
  • 11
    Daw NC, Chou AJ, Jaffe N, Rao BN, Billups CA, Rodriguez-Galindo C, et al. Recurrent osteosarcoma with a single pulmonary metastasis: a multi-institutional review. Br J Cancer. 2015;112(2):278-282. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.585
    » https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.585
  • 12
    Nguyen JC, Baghdadi S, Pogoriler J, Guariento A, Rajapakse CS, Arkader A. Pediatric Osteosarcoma: Correlation of Imaging Findings with Histopathologic Features, Treatment, and Outcome. Radiographics. 2022;42(4):1196-1213. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.210171
    » https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.210171
  • 13
    Sheng G, Gao Y, Yang Y, Wu H. Osteosarcoma and Metastasis. Front Oncol. 2021;11:780264. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.780264
    » https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.780264
  • 14
    Bodanese L, Gutierrez AL, Capone D, Marchiori E. Metástases pulmonares atípicas: apresentações tomográficas. Radiol Bras. 2002;35(2):99-103. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-39842002000200010
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-39842002000200010
  • 15
    Rastogi R, Garg R, Thulkar S, Bakhshi S, Gupta A. Unusual thoracic CT manifestations of osteosarcoma: review of 16 cases. Pediatr Radiol. 2008;38(5):551-558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0735-3
    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-007-0735-3
  • 16
    Gok Durnali A, Paksoy Turkoz F, Ardic Yukruk F, Tokluoglu S, Yazici OK, Demirci A, et al. Outcomes of Adolescent and Adult Patients with Lung Metastatic Osteosarcoma and Comparison of Synchronous and Metachronous Lung Metastatic Groups. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0152621. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152621
    » https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152621
  • 17
    Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, McLoud TC, Müller NL, Remy J. Fleischner Society: glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. Radiology. 2008;246(3):697-722. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2462070712
    » https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2462070712
  • 18
    Sadykova LR, Ntekim AI, Muyangwa-Semenova M, Rutland CS, Jeyapalan JN, Blatt N, et al. Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Osteosarcoma. Cancer Invest. 2020;38(5):259-269. https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2020.1768401
    » https://doi.org/10.1080/07357907.2020.1768401
  • 19
    Mirabello L, Troisi RJ, Savage SA. Osteosarcoma incidence and survival rates from 1973 to 2004: data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer. 2009;115(7):1531-1543. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.24121
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.24121
  • 20
    Silva JAM, Marchiori E, Macedo FC, Silva PRGD, Amorim VB. Pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma: multiple presentations in a single patient. J Bras Pneumol. 2022;48(2):e20210478. https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e20210478
    » https://doi.org/10.36416/1806-3756/e20210478
  • 21
    Chiesa AM, Spinnato P, Miceli M, Facchini G. Radiologic Assessment of Osteosarcoma Lung Metastases: State of the Art and Recent Advances. Cells. 2021;10(3):553. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030553
    » https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030553
  • 22
    Dudeck O, Zeile M, Andreou D, Schnapauff D, Pech M, Wieners G, et al. Computed tomographic criteria for the discrimination of subcentimeter lung nodules in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. Clin Imaging. 2011;35(3):174-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2010.06.005
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2010.06.005
  • 23
    Bankier AA, MacMahon H, Goo JM, Rubin GD, Schaefer-Prokop CM, Naidich DP. Recommendations for Measuring Pulmonary Nodules at CT: A Statement from the Fleischner Society. Radiology. 2017;285(2):584-600. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2017162894
    » https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2017162894
  • 24
    Brader P, Abramson SJ, Price AP, Ishill NM, Emily ZC, Moskowitz CS, et al. Do characteristics of pulmonary nodules on computed tomography in children with known osteosarcoma help distinguish whether the nodules are malignant or benign? [published correction appears in J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Aug;46(8):1685. Emily, Zabor C [corrected to Zabor, Emily C]]. J Pediatr Surg. 2011;46(4):729-735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.11.027
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2010.11.027
  • 25
    Seo JB, Im JG, Goo JM, Chung MJ, Kim MY. Atypical pulmonary metastases: spectrum of radiologic findings. Radiographics. 2001;21(2):403-417. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21.2.g01mr17403
    » https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.21.2.g01mr17403
  • 26
    Ting PT, Burrowes PW, Gray RR. Intravascular pulmonary metastases from sarcoma: appearance on computed tomography in 3 cases. Can Assoc Radiol J. 2005;56(4):214-218.
  • 27
    Kayal S, Mohan A, Thulkar S, Durgapal P, Bakhshi S. Isolated endobronchial metastasis from osteosarcoma. J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2013;20(2):190-191. https://doi.org/10.1097/LBR.0b013e31828ca198
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/LBR.0b013e31828ca198
  • 28
    Kiryu T, Hoshi H, Matsui E, Iwata H, Kokubo M, Shimokawa K, et al. Endotracheal/endobronchial metastases : clinicopathologic study with special reference to developmental modes. Chest. 2001;119(3):768-775. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.119.3.768
    » https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.119.3.768
  • Financial support:

    None.
  • 2
    Study carried out in the Departamento de Radiologia, Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Brasil.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 Apr 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    08 Nov 2022
  • Accepted
    26 Jan 2023
Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia SCS Quadra 1, Bl. K salas 203/204, 70398-900 - Brasília - DF - Brasil, Fone/Fax: 0800 61 6218 ramal 211, (55 61)3245-1030/6218 ramal 211 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: jbp@sbpt.org.br