A morphologic study of nodular lung carcinomas and their possible pathogenesis from a cluster of non-obstructive bronchiectasis.
A very simple procedure has enabled us to show that nodular lung carcinomas correspond, to a high degree, to neoplasias arising in a cluster of bronchiectasis of the non-obstructive type. This pathogenesis explains their peculiar features: the round shape with a sharp borderline on the surrounding lung, the frequent cavitation, the prevailing histologic type of epidermoid carcinomas. At present, when thin-section CT allows discovery of bronchiectasis with no need for bronchography, this interpretation suggests the possibility of carrying out a prevention program which should consist of identifying the high-risk group of patients with bronchiectasis, 'sputum producers' and smokers, in which an early diagnosis of nodular lung carcinoma might be realized by periodical diagnostic cytology.
Tonelli
P
P
Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy.
D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000150:complications*; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000473:pathology