Thoracic manifestations of breast carcinoma: Metastatic disease and complications of treatment

Breast cancer, a common malignancy in women, is a major cause of cancer-rel ated deaths. Metastases to the thorax are common in patients with breast ca ncer. Metastases can manifest radiographically as pulmonary nodules, lympha ngitis carcinomatosa, endobronchial masses, intrathoracic adenopathy, peric ardial or myocardial masses and pleural effusions, Additionally, pulmonary abnormalities occur after radiotherapy, chemotherapy and antologous bone ma rrow transplantation. Knowledge of the various intrathoracic manifestations of metastases and complications of therapy is important in staging and eva luating patients with breast cancer and deciding on the most appropriate tr eatment.