[Bronchoalveolar cancer (clinical, x-ray and morphologic characterization)]

The authors presented a clinicoroentgenological picture of bronchioloalveolar cancer based on the analysis of 154 cases; 4 types of disease were defined: peripheral tumors, pseudopneumonic type tumors, multiple nodular formations, and mixed type tumors. Common features of this disease and symptomatology of each separate type were described. The most prominent features of bronchioloalveolar cancer are the absence of bronchial tree involvement and frequent presence of typical cavities with well defined outlines and "lattice" structure. The characteristic features of peripheral bronchioloalveolar cancer are slow growth rates, subpleural localization, inhomogeneous structure, and irregular outlines. The mixed type (far advanced tumors) is characterized by the combination of lobular, spheroidal and microfocal changes. Early recognition of definite types of bronchioloalveolar cancer ensures timely surgical treatment and prevents disease progression to disseminated bilateral lesions.