[Lymphangitic carcinomatosis of the lung in metastatic breast carcinoma].

The lungs of 34 patients who had died of carcinoma of the breast and pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa were prepared by air insufflation and then examined radiologically and histologically. The results were compared with x-ray examination performed just before death. The interstitial pattern of lymphangitis is due to tumour cell infiltration of septal, peri-vasal and peri-bronchial lymphatics, and to fibrosis. Pleural effusions developed in 17 patients and were twice as frequent on the side of the breast tumour. Hilar lymph node enlargement was found in only five cases, although histological involvement was proven in 19. Theories concerning the mode of propagation of pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa are discussed.