[Is the bronchoscopic criteria of early lung cancer valid?]

We studied the validity of the bronchoscopic criteria of the early lung cancer using the surgical specimen excised between 1980 and 1999. Twenty-four cases with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung of clinical stage I were located subsegmental or more proximal bronchi and trachea, and the size less than 20 mm in greatest dimension. We histopathologically investigated the endoscopic features in relation to the width of superficial extent, the depth of cancer invasion, and lymph node metastasis. Tumors of the thickened type lesions less than 20 mm in greatest dimension showed no invasion into the cartilaginous layer and no lymph node metastasis. On the other hand, in the nodular and polypoid types, invasion beyond the cartilaginous layer was observed more or less, and lymph node metastasis was observed in 1 case. These cases would not be suitable for bronchoscopic (photodynamic) therapy. In conclusion, the bronchoscopic criteria of early lung cancer is valid in the thickened type, but not in the nodular type or polypoid type.