[Bronchoscopic findings of adenocarcinoma of the lung]

Bronchoscopic and histopathological findings of adenocarcinoma of the lung were compared, and the outcome of chemotherapy or radiation therapy was examined. This study included 1,434 patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung who underwent bronchoscopy between May, 1962 and December, 1987 at the National Cancer Center Hospital. A definitive diagnosis was made histologically by biopsy studies in all patients. Bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid tumor in 47 (3.3%), nodular tumor in 318 (22.2%), obstruction in 462 (32.2%), infiltration in 162 (11.3%) and no finding in 445 (31.0%) of these patients. According to gross pathological examination, the polypoid type was observed in 45 (4.6%), stenosis type in 28 (2.8%), obstruction type in 664 (67.5%) and nodular type in 247 (25.1) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy was complete response in 15 (10.8%) and partial response in 32 (23.0%), the lesion showed regression in 50 (35.9%), no changes were noted in 23 (16.6%) and the disease progression was observed in 19 (13.7%). Bronchoscopy could be performed without difficulty and caused no complications and sufficient examination was possible in the outpatient clinic after discharge. Routine and repeated bronchoscopy is possible and useful in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. Since this examination allows determination of whether complete remission has been achieved, it is considered to contribute to reduction in the risk of early recurrence.