The changing radiographic presentation of bronchogenic carcinoma with reference to cell types.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze chest radiographic patterns of lung cancer at presentation by cell type. This current series is compared with historic published data.


METHODS
Retrospective, using a tumor registry.


METHODS
Large, rural multispecialty clinic.


METHODS
Three hundred forty-five patients with newly diagnosed lung cancers presenting between October 1990 and August 1992.


METHODS
Radiographs were interpreted by two radiologists blinded to cell type. Our results were compared statistically to published data from Mayo Clinic patients in the 1950s and 1960s.


RESULTS
(1) Adenocarcinoma: Decreased presentation as a peripheral tumor in current series (49%) compared with historic control at Mayo (72%); (2) squamous cell: increased presentation as peripheral tumor in current series (43%) compared with historic control (31%); and (3) no statistically significant difference between adenocarcinoma (49%) and squamous (43%) for a presentation as a peripheral mass, or between adenocarcinoma (46%) and squamous (52%) for central origin in the current series of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
As adenocarcinoma has increased in relative frequency among lung cancers, the percent of cases with peripheral primary tumors is decreased while central tumors have increased. Squamous carcinoma has had a relative increase in peripheral mass presentation. There is now no significant difference between these two cell types in percent presenting as a peripheral mass or central tumor on chest radiograph.
Quinn
D
D
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Marshfield (Wis) Clinic 54449, USA.
Gianlupi
A
A
Broste
S
S
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies