[Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung. A radiologic and pathologic study].
OBJECTIVE
To study if there are characteristic radiologic features of adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the lung and correlations of histo-pathologic components with radiologic findings and prognosis.


METHODS
Fifty one pathologicall confirmed ASC cases (52 foci) were reviewed. All had chest radiographs, CT scans were available in 23 cases and MRI in 6 cases. These cases were subdivided into three groups according to the amount of adenocarcinoma component on microscopic manifestations: less than 40%, 40%-60%, and more than 60%.


RESULTS
(1) Radiologic findings: In three cases, the tumor was of central type and in 48 cases (94.1%) of peripheral type. The size of tumor varied from 2 to 15 cm in diameter (mean, 5.7 cm). All the peripheral tumors were lobulated. In 19 cases (39.6%) the tumors were well demarcated, but poorly defined in 18 cases (19 foci) (37.5%) and spiculated in 14 cases (29.2%). Eccentric cavities with thickened wall were seen in 8 cases (15.7%) and pleural tag in 12 cases (25%). (2) Correlations between the amount of adenocarcinoma component and radiologic features: There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups with regard to tumor location, margin, and pleural tag.


CONCLUSIONS
The radiologic findings of ASC are not specific; the most common finding is a peripheral mass. The amount of adenocarcinoma component is not significantly related with the radiologic features and prognosis.
Wu
N
N
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing.
Lü
N
N
Chen
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed