satellite lesion
A separate tumor deposit located near the primary tumor but separated by normal tissue, affecting staging and prognosis.
Full Definition
A satellite lesion is a discrete tumor deposit that occurs in proximity to the primary tumor but is separated by an interval of normal tissue. In orthopedic oncology, satellite lesions may represent intramuscular or intraosseous spread of the primary tumor, skip metastases, or multifocal disease. The presence of satellite lesions significantly impacts staging, with most classification systems treating them as evidence of more advanced local disease. Satellite lesions require modification of surgical planning to ensure adequate resection margins and may influence decisions about limb salvage versus amputation. They are associated with higher local recurrence rates and may indicate more aggressive tumor biology.
In Context
- "MRI revealed a satellite lesion 2 cm proximal to the main tumor mass." — Staging imaging report
- "The presence of satellite lesions necessitated extension of the planned resection margins." — Surgical planning note