Abstract
Since the establishment of our institution in 1961, 10 radiographically negative lung cancer cases were experienced in our hospital. The male : female ratio was 9 : 1 and ages ranged from 55 to 74, with an average of 68.5. All but one were heavy cigarette smokers. The cause of detection was hemoptysis in 4 and 6 were detected in sputum cytology mass surveys for lung cancer. Sputum cytology was positive in 8 of 10 cases. In all cases, tumors were localized bronchoscopically. Bronchofiberscopy revealed superficial infiltration in 6, a nodular tumor in 2, a polypoid tumor in one and superficial infiltration combined with a polypoid tumor in one case. Histology revealed squamous cell carcinoma in 9 cases and small cell carcinoma in only one case. In all cases, tumors were successfully resected. 8 of 10 cases were early stage central type lung cancer. One patient died 2.5 months after operation due to liver insufficiency. The other 9 cases are surviving from 4 to 64 months without any recurrence. In conclusion, it is important to detect and biopsy widened bronchial bifurcations for the diagnosis of roentgenologically negative lung cancer.
