Clinical course and autopsy findings of a case with superficial infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

A 57 year-old male, who had a small squamous cell carcinoma at right main bronchus, was operated. However, a curative operation was not performed, because the tumor was not recognizable intraoperatively. He died after 8 years postoperatively. The autopsy revealed very wide intramucosal development, i.e. to cricoid cartilage and left main bronchus. Lymphnode and hematogenous metastases were minimal. This case may represent the clinical course of the superficial spreading type of squamous cell carcinoma from the stem bronchus, that is, slow growing, minimal metastasis andmucosal involvement in wide area.