Patterns of metastases progression- The linear parallel ratio.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Linear and parallel are the two leading models of metastatic progression. In this study we propose a simple way to differentiate between them. While the linear model predicts accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations within the primary tumor by founder cells before spreading as waves of metastases, the parallel model suggests preclinical distribution of less advanced disseminated tumor cells with independent selection and expansion at the ectopic sites. Due to identical clonal origin and time of dispatching, linear metastases are expected to have comparable diameters in any specific organ while parallel metastases are expected to appear in variable sizes.

Methods and findings

Retrospective revision of chest CT of oncological patients with lung metastases

SUBMITTER: Gofrit ON 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9491615 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature