Background.We studied the role of pulmonary veins in cancer progression using computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods. We\nobtained data from 260 patients with pulmonary vein obstruction syndrome (PVOS).We used CT scans to investigate pulmonary\nlesions in relation to pulmonary veins. We divided the lesions into central and peripheral lesions by their anatomical location: in\nthe lung parenchymal tissue or pulmonary vein; in the superior or inferior pulmonary vein; and by unilateral or bilateral presence\nin the lungs. Results. Of the 260 PVOS patients, 226 (87%) had central lesions, 231 (89%) had peripheral lesions, and 190 (75%)\nhad mixed central and peripheral lesions. Among the 226 central lesions, 93% had lesions within the superior pulmonary vein,\neither bilaterally or unilaterally. Among the 231 peripheral lesions, 65% involved bilateral lungs, 70% involved lesions within the\ninferior pulmonary veins, and 23% had obvious metastatic extensions into the left atrium. All patients exhibited nodules within\ntheir pulmonary veins. The predeath status included respiratory failure (40%) and loss of consciousness (60%). Conclusion. CT\nscans play an important role in following tumor progression within pulmonary veins. Besides respiratory distress, PVOS cancer\ncells entering centrally can result in cardiac and cerebral events and loss of consciousness or can metastasize peripherally from the\npulmonary veins to the lungs.
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