Long-term outcome and lung cancer incidence in patients with hemoptysis of unknown origin.
OBJECTIVE
To provide current data on the long-term outcome and incidence of lung cancer in a large cohort of patients with hemoptysis of unknown origin.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review followed by a telephone interview for follow-up.


METHODS
A university-affiliated tertiary referral center for pulmonary diseases.


METHODS
Seven hundred twenty-two patients who presented with hemoptysis from January 1990 to December 1993. One hundred thirty-five patients were identified as having hemoptysis of unknown origin.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty-five patients (19%) had hemoptysis of unknown origin; follow-up data were obtained in 115 patients, of whom 100 were still alive. The mean time of observation was 6.6 years after initial presentation. Lung cancer developed in 7 of 115 patients (6%) and was unresectable once detected; all of these patients were smokers > 40 years old, and malignancy developed within 3 years after first presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemoptysis of unknown origin is present in a minority of patients presenting with hemoptysis if evaluated at a referral center for pulmonary diseases. Lung cancer seems to be increasing in these patients compared to previous studies, and closer follow-up or additional testing may be indicated in the defined population at risk.
Herth
F
F
Department of Endoscopy, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg, Germany.
Ernst
A
A
Becker
H D
HD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome