[Cytological studies of sputum and bronchial secretions (author's transl)]

Cytological diagnosis was achieved in 89 of 206 (43.2%) malignant lung tumours verified histologically. The quality of cytological material, number of examinations, tumour size and differentiation, as well as careful handling of the material and experience of the cytologist, all influenced the rate of false-negative results. Cytological examination of sputum and bronchial secretions gave a higher rate of detecting malignant lung tumours than histological examination of material obtained by bronchoscopy.