Cannonball Metastases of the Lung: An Unusual Initial Manifestation of Endometrial Carcinoma

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Authors: Midila Bapineni, Shivendra Tangutoori, Naga Vamsi Krishna Machineni, Kamlesh P. Sajnani, MANEESH GADDAM
Cited by: 0
References: 5

Abstract

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries and is typically diagnosed at an early stage, with distant metastases uncommon at presentation. Pulmonary involvement occurs in less than 5% of cases and usually manifests as small nodules or interstitial disease; the appearance of multiple, large, round 'cannonball' metastases is exceptionally rare. We report the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with cough and dyspnea. Imaging revealed numerous bilateral pulmonary 'cannonball' nodules, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, hepatic lesions, and an enlarged uterus. Endometrial biopsy confirmed endometrioid adenocarcinoma, staged as FIGO IV-B. The patient underwent chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel, resulting in significant regression of pulmonary and hepatic metastases and symptomatic improvement, followed by maintenance therapy with anastrozole that achieved stable disease on surveillance. This case highlights the importance of recognising cannonball pulmonary metastases as a potential, albeit rare, initial presentation of endometrial carcinoma, thereby guiding timely diagnosis and treatment.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment

Publication details

Journal / source
Respirology Case Reports
Volume
14
Issue
1
Pages
e70455–e70455
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN