Dev is a 19-year-old male who presents with persistent pain…
Dev is a 19-year-old male who presents with persistent pain and swelling in his left distal femur that has gradually worsened over several months. Imaging reveals a destructive bone lesion, and biopsy confirms osteosarcoma. A chest CT identifies several small nodules in both lungs. The healthcare team explains that the cancer originated in connective tissue and that the lung findings may represent metastatic disease. Which mechanism most likely explains the presence of nodules in the lungs?