[Clinicopathological study of early peripheral adenocarcinoma of the lung]

Fifty surgically resected small peripheral adenocarcinomas measuring 20 mm or less in greatest diameter were reviewed according to Noguchi classification (1995). Type A (localized bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: LBAC) and type B (LBAC with foci of structural collapse of alveoli) showed no lymph node metastasis and in these two types, 5-year survival was 100%. Histologic types A and B in Noguchi classification are thought to be early peripheral adenocarcinoma. By further evaluation of preoperative imaging diagnosis, operative procedure and pathological study patients with early peripheral adenocarcinoma would be able to become candidates for limited surgery (segmentectomy or partial resection).