大体图和X线图上所见的明显的线状纹理是由肺的淋巴道转移癌引起的。此种转移途径癌细胞主要沿着淋巴道播散，同时也伴有通过支气管血管束在肺小叶之间进行的血道播散。CT上除了线状和网状的纹理外，有更多的向心性辐射状排列的纹理。X线图上可见一些Kerley B线（两肺下野外侧形成的水平线状影）。病人可能有咳嗽和呼吸困难。前列腺癌和乳腺癌主要转移到肺，当然能转移到肺的原发瘤很多。
The prominent linear markings seen grossly and radiographically in this lung result from lymphangitic spread of metastatic carcinoma, also known as pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis (PLC). In this pattern of metastases, the carcinoma spreads mainly along lymphatic channels that accompany the bronchovascular bundles in the septae between lung lobules. Besides the linear or reticular interstitial markings, more marked axially than peripherally, seen here on the chest CT scan in lung window, more subtle involvement may appear on a chest radiograph as Kerley's B lines. Patients may have cough and dyspnea. Though best known as a pattern of metastases for prostate and breast carcinomas, PLC can potentially occur with a wide variety of primary sites.