[Morphogenesis of peripheral cancer of the lung]

Principal stages in morphogenesis of peripheral lung cancer (PLC) were studied on operative specimens obtained from 200 PLC patients with majority tumors 0.5-3 cm in diameter. PLC was found to involve predominantly sites of preexisting cicatrices available in 93.1% of cases of small cancer. Essential in PLC onset may be Ghon's, Simon's and Aschoff-Pool focus cicatrices and tuberculomas recorded in 113 patients (70%). Pneumoconiosis- induced and postpneumonic cicatrices occurred in 42 (26%) and 6 (4%) patients, respectively. Dysplasia of small bronchi epithelium, bronchioles and alveoli found in cicatrices should be considered PLC precancer. The authors hold that cicatricial lesions in lung periphery are PLC risk factors.