Bronchoscopic Findings of Primary Lung Cancer

Abstract

The histologic types of primary lung cancer in relation to bronchoscopic findings were discussed. This study included 143 cases of the primary lung cancer: adenocarcinoma (Ad) 66 cases, squamous cell carcinoma (Sq) 49 cases, small cell carcinoma (Sm) 28 cases. The bronchoscopic findings were based on “ Bronchoscopic Findings in Lung Cancer Classification” recognized by. the Japan Cancer Society in 1987. Furthermore we discussed 10 bronchoscopic findings: color, loss of luster, swelling, vascular engorgement, granular change, longitudinal folds, loss of cartilage rings, stenosis, necrosis, and obstruction. Ad was significantly less visible (39.4%) in comparison with the other histologic types (p<0.01). Sq had a significantly high incidence of the primarily mucosal type (82.1%) in comparison with Ad and Sm (p<0.01). Ad had a significantly high incidence of “redness”(76.9%), Sq had a significantly high incidence of “paleness” (48.7%), and Sm had a significantly high incidence of “mixed redness and paleness” (48%) in comparison with other histologic types (p<0.05). Concerning other bronchoscopic findings, Sm had a significantly high incidence of “vascular engorgement” (68%) and “loss of cartilage rings” (72%) in comparison with Sq (p<0.01). Sq had a significantly high incidence of “obstruction” (69.2%) in comparison with Ad (p<0.01). To estimate the histologic types of primary lung cancer, the important bronchoscopic findings were color, vascular engorgement, and obstruction.