Bronchogenic carcinoma in breast carcinoma patients

Forty-eight female patients who developed bronchogenic carcinoma synchronously with or after the occurrence of breast carcinoma are reported. The object of the study was to review the radiographic findings for possible clues to the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma and to ascertain the histologic diagnoses observed. In 40 patients on whom films were available, the original radiographs before surgery for bronchogenic carcinoma were examined. The clinical records of the 48 patients were also reviewed. Histologic diagnosis of primary bronchogenic carcinoma was required. A solitary pulmonary lesion in a patient with breast carcinoma, a cavitated lesion, or a lesion that failed to respond to appropriate therapy for metastatic breast carcinoma suggested the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma. An increase in the frequency of small cell carcinoma and a decrease in the frequency of adenocarcinoma was seen in bronchogenic carcinomas developing 5 years or more after radiation therapy for breast carcinoma. It was concluded that the benefits of radiation therapy in selected patients far outweighed the risk of bronchogenic carcinoma.