[Cavitating malignant neoplasms in the lung]

Cavitation was found in 8.3% of 96 primary lung cancers, and in 4.5% of 111 metastatic neoplasms. Of 13 excavating lung tumors, seven had adenocarcinoma, 3 squamous cell carcinoma, one anaplastic carcinoma, one hemangioendothelioma, and one malignant melanoma. Primary cavitary lung cancers had relatively thick walls, irregular internal and outer contours, and the location of the cavity was more often central. Excavating pulmonary metastases had smooth outer margin, more often irregular internal contour, and the location of the cavity was central. Among them, four cases had thin-walled cavity. Thin-section CT was useful in the evaluation of the margin of the tumors and the internal contour of the cavities, and in the detection of small cavities in the tumors.